THE county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl today launches a consultation to canvass what the public expect from their police.

The aim is to gather the views of residents, community groups, businesses and partners that will help advise the strategic policing priorities and contribute to the next Police and Crime Plan for Gloucestershire.

A draft of the plan is published on the Commissioner’s official website, people can comment on it from now until 21 August.

Following his re-election with an increased majority on a much bigger turnout, Mr Surl will use his mandate to build on his first three and a half years in office.

His key priorities were making sure the police are there when they are needed; making it easier to contact them either by phone or online and protecting the elderly and vulnerable, helping young people become responsible adults and keeping them safe on the roads, on the town and online and protecting the county on the internet.

Mr Surl (pictured) said, “Listening to local people is the most important part of my role and it’s the only way I can truly be the public’s voice in policing.

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“I have always adopted a countywide approach to crime prevention by giving local people the opportunity to get involved in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour through the Commissioner’s Fund which now supports 270 local projects.

“I said during the election I saw no reason to change for change sake but I am planning much further into the future than the next four years.

“I want to lay lasting foundations that will enhance the long term effectiveness of the Constabulary and enable our children and grandchildren to live in a county that is safe and served by a good, able and well-resourced police force.

“Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their community. I want local people to have confidence in the police and this is their chance to let me know what is important to them so we can consider it when we finalise the plan”.

The PCC has a statutory duty to draw up a new Police and Crime Plan for the period 2017-20 by the end of March 2017.

A final draft of the Plan will be presented to the Police and Crime Panel in the autumn which will provide time for final feedback prior to publication and implementation in the New Year.

You can register your views on the Police and Crime plan by accessing the PCC website and adding your comments.

Link to share views: www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/how-to-get-involved/share-your-views/

Link to PDF of crime plan: www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/media/2808/pcc-plan-2017-2021.pdf

The consultation closes on Sunday, August 21.