Vision and VAWG
Last week saw the Chief Constable of Dorset, Scott Chilton, introduce his policing vision for the county.
His vision is one I wholeheartedly welcome and I am particularly pleased to see that it has, at its heart being tough on crime, keeping people safe and putting victims first, priorities which are reflected in my own Police and Crime Plan.
The Police and Crime Plan is based on what the people of Dorset told me was important to them when I was campaigning to become PCC – this now is reflected in the Chief Constable’s vision for Dorset and therefore links the needs of the people through to the delivery of policing on our streets, across the whole county.
The representation of the priorities of the people and communities of Dorset is a powerful and important golden thread that runs through both plans and I very much look forward to seeing the progress associated with their implementation.
Elsewhere this week, there has been a Use of Police Powers and Scrutiny Panel meeting.
There are a few independent scrutiny panels, all of which are administered by my office and enable me to hold Dorset Police to account. The panels have an independent chair and are made up of members of the public together with representatives from the Force and OPCC.
I am grateful each and every member of the panel as their scrutiny is essential in keeping public confidence in the policing process.
Finally, this week, I should mention the new Home Office Campaign on tackling VAWG called ‘Enough’. The campaign is informed by victim support groups and survivors as well as the 180,000 responses to the Home Secretary’s Violence Against Women and Girls Call for Evidence.
This multi-year campaign will include communications to educate young people about healthy relationships and consent and ensure victims can recognise abuse and seek support.
Beyond this campaign, the government are making significant steps forward in tackling VAWG.
The appointment of DCC Maggie Blyth, as the National Policing Lead to co-ordinate and improve the national policing response; adding VAWG to the Strategic Policing Requirement placing it on the same strategic footing as terrorism, serious organised crime and child sexual abuse and the introduction of new guidance to police forces on how to treat victims and to establish a single national survey on victim satisfaction - all important developments and all very much welcomed.
David Sidwick
Police and Crime Commissioner