PCC marks 100 days in office (From Gazette Series)

Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens marks 100 days in office

8:20am Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Marion Sauvebois

AVON and Somerset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said the job was ‘even better than expected’ as she reflected on her first 100 days in office.

Sue Mountstevens was elected on November 15 with a total of 125,000 votes--the highest mandate of any PCCs in England and Wales.

So far the leader of the force has appointed a new Chief Constable, frozen the policing part of the council tax, committed to seven Police and Crime Plans, opened recruitment for a volunteer complaints panel and started work on a Business Crime Forum.

Looking back on her first three months in office Ms Mountstevens said: "I knew the role would be interesting and varied but it is a privilege to be Avon and Somerset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner. It carries great responsibilities but I promise I will do the job to the best of my ability."

She confirmed she was in the process of fulfilling her pre-election pledge to tackle anti-social behaviour, burglary, violence against women and children and put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.

She added: "We are now in the final stages of consultation on the Police and Crime Plans which are based on my four-priorities and the issues you have raised with me.

"I will be going through the thousands of consultation responses from people to make sure that the Plans reflect local needs. We all want to live in a community that is strong and safe and the Plans will reflect that and what matter to you in your local area."

In the next few weeks the PCC will be working on the allocation of the community safety grant and the application process for the £200,000 Community Action Fund which will both launch in April.

The action fund will allow groups, charities and voluntary organisations to apply for grants to make a difference in their community and will be administered by the Police Community Trust.