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The latest news from the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner
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This has been another month which has seen major progress being made in a number of areas, not least of which has been the finalising and publishing this week of my new Police and Crime Plan. This is the key document which sets out my vision for creating a safer, more secure Warwickshire and outlines how I will hold the Chief Constable to account for its delivery.
It is organised into four key objectives:
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My plan will strengthen policing across Warwickshire and build on the strong foundations which already exist. I want to ensure that the numbers of police officers, special constables and PCSOs can be increased over the levels we see today, through improvements in efficiency and better use of technology to deliver a service which maximises the resources that are available to it and can meet the challenges of the future head-on.
Overall, I want to ensure that Warwickshire Police delivers the right service, at the right time, to protect communities and provide a safer, more secure Warwickshire. While it sets challenging goals, the plan is achievable and I look forward to working with Chief Constable Martin Jelley and our key partners to make this a reality.
You can read a full version of the plan here.
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There have also been significant developments on a national level. At the recent conference of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, I was asked to lead the important work looking at emergency services collaboration. We have a strong record here in Warwickshire on working in collaboration through our alliance with West Mercia and I will delighted to put that experience to good use at a national level. Around the country other forces are looking to adopt similar measures, while also beginning to look at the benefits of working more closely together with other 'blue light' services. Here in Warwickshire I will continue to explore all opportunities to deliver closer working relationships across the public sector and it will be interesting to also have a view on the national picture.
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 On a completely different note, you may have seen the recent publicity about a event at Leek Wootton, which saw hundreds of police officers and other members of the emergency services (myself included) put on their dancing shoes to record a music video in aid of Alexander's Journey. This is a fundraising effort for the son of a Warwickshire police officer, Alex Goodwin, who has Ewing Sarcoma - a rare type of bone cancer that affects fewer than 30 children in the UK each year.
Recently, Alex's family have been informed that the cancer has spread which has significantly reduced his prognosis and chances of survival. It has also reduced the treatment options available to Alex on the NHS, leading to a major charitable drive to ensure Alex can get the treatment he needs in Amercia.
This week came the fantastic news that the fundraising efforts have paid off and, thanks to the additional help from an anonymous benefactor, enough money has been raised to cover the cost of Alex's treatment in the US and the immediate aftercare which will be required after his surgery. You can read dad Jeff's emotional announcement here.
Fundraising is still continuing to help meet the costs of the extensive rehabilitation Alex will need - and a good way to help out is to buy a copy of 'Horizon on My Mind', the song written and recorded by Warwickshire police officers and featuring the video recorded at Leek Wootton. It is released on December 5 but can be pre-ordered now on iTunes or Amazon or by texting HOMM to 85888. The fund for Alex will receive 70p from the 99p cost of each download - and with Christmas fast approaching, a surge up the charts will go a long way to helping Alex in his long journey ahead.
With that mention of Christmas and with thoughts of family and well-being in mind, it only remains for me to sign off by wishing all of you a safe and happy festive period and an enjoyable new year. I hope to see many more of you around the county during 2017.
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Philip Seccombe
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner
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Work starts on state-of-the-art Operations Communications Centre for Warwickshire
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 On Monday, Construction work started on a new state-of-the-art Operations Communications Centre (OCC) which will improve policing services across Warwickshire.
The project will see Neville House, on the Warwick Technology Park, entirely refurbished to provide a new, purpose-designed facility handling emergency and non-emergency calls. Changes in technology, telecoms, estates and culture will mean officers and staff can work more efficiently and effectively. For the public, it will mean improved responses and better opportunities to stay up to date on the progress of investigations.
It has been extremely important to be able to keep an OCC facility here in Warwickshire, able to serve Warwickshire Police and the wider alliance. This is a multi-million pound investment which will retain jobs in the county and ensure that the local knowledge of our workforce and the strong links with the Warwickshire community are maintained, creating an asset with which we can be very proud.
When it opens, the new OCC will mark a significant step forward in meeting the pledge I made in in my Police and Crime Plan to deliver a modernised and efficient police force. Combined with investments in sophisticated new technology systems, staff at Neville House will have the very best facilities and tools at their disposal to ensure that when people contact Warwickshire Police, they are dealt with efficiently and effectively, with the most appropriate resources used to meet their call for assistance.
Construction and enabling works are expected to be completed by the end of 2017, with the new technology fully implemented by 2018.
Picture shows Assistant Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, joining myself, Chief Constable Martin Jelley and Michael Clifton, Estate Project Manager from Place Partnership at Neville House.
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Refuge awarded new contracts to help and protect victims of domestic abuse in Warwickshire
Last week saw the announcement by my office and Warwickshire County Council that two contracts to provide support services for domestic abuse and domestic violence victims have been awarded to the charity Refuge.
The contracts are for community-based support - which includes provision of the Warwickshire helpline which provides specialist one-to-one and outreach support - and refuge accommodation.
 Refuge - one of the largest providers of domestic violence and abuse support services nationally - already runs the accommodation service in Warwickshire, while the community based support service is currently run by Stonham. The contracts for these services are due to end on 31 March 2017 so the County Council has undertaken a review and re-tendering of the services with its partners including the OPCC, police, housing and health.
The decision to award both contracts to a single supplier will bring many advantages - not least for victims, who will have a clear route to getting the advice and help they need.
Refuge is an organisation with a vast wealth of experience in working with victims and survivors and has achieved a high reputation nationally, so I am delighted we will be able to work with them on a wider basis here in Warwickshire.
For more details about the changes and where you can get help and support if you are a victim of domestic abuse, view the full announcement on the OPCC website. |
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Here are some of the key events in my diary for the month ahead:
