RESIDENTS of Pembroke Dock and Neyland were among the people visited by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon on Thursday, January 7.
His Your Voice Day of activity in the area saw him meet groups and also a number of individuals who had booked private appointments at Pennar Hall, Pembroke Dock. Mr Salmon said: “It was pleasure to hear strong views about crime and policing expressed by local people. By speaking to me, they had a direct say in our criminal justice system.”
Matters discussed included: complaints against the police, hate crime, youth schemes, the night-time economy and domestic abuse. There were discussions on the usefulness and effectiveness of the Commissioner’s role, the change to a 24-hour police air service, police visibility, politics, the Crown Prosecution Service, cybercrime and driver training.
Those who met Mr Salmon included around 50 members of Pembrokeshire University of the Third Age at Neyland Athletic Club. U3A is an organisation which offers new opportunities to retired and semi-retired people. He later witnessed a police shift briefing in Pembroke Dock Police Station with PCs and Sgt Beverley Rodriguez. As the elected voice of the public, the Commissioner makes the police answerable to the communities they serve. He works in partnership across a range of agencies to ensure a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.
Mr Salmon was elected Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012. He has increased police officer numbers and they spend more time on the beat. He has decreased the amount taxpayers spend on the police; crime and antisocial behaviour are down. He plans two new sexual assault referral centres and has started a £15m buildings modernisation programme. Mr Salmon has arranged five Your Voice Days in early 2015. The schedule includes Llanelli (February 9), Aberystwyth (February 29), Builth Wells (March 8) and Welshpool (March 17).
To book an appointment to meet the Commissioner phone 01267 226440, email opcc@dyfed-powys. pnn.police.uk, tweet @DPOPCC or complete the web form a http://bit. ly/PCCcontact. On May 5, England and Wales will hold their second elections for Police and Crime Commissioners. In Dyfed-Powys this will mean the public having a direct say in who controls a policing budget of around £95m, sets the priorities for policing, holds the police force to account and manages a police estate of more than 50 buildings.
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