Strategic alliance agreed with Wiltshire Police Specialist police resources and back office functions will be shared with Wiltshire Police following an agreement to enter into a strategic alliance with the neighbouring force. The alliance was agreed by the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables of both forces in a bid to secure significant savings over the next five years.
Enhancing support for victims from April 2015 In October 2014, the Ministry of Justice transferred responsibility for commissioning local victim services in Avon and Somerset to PCC Sue Mountstevens. To prepare for this Sue’s commissioning team began consulting with victims, partners and service providers to explore what services people wanted and identify gaps in current provision. A commissioning plan was developed and organisations were able to bid to provide the services. Providers have been selected and will begin delivering the services from April 2015. Amongst the services will be new or enhanced support for victims of modern slavery, vulnerable adults and children and young people, emotional support services and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors. The range of new services will work alongside the recently launched Lighthouse integrated victim care teams.
The two forces already collaborate on Brunel, a shared Major Crime Investigation Team and Special Branch. Discussions are still at an early stage but by building on these successful foundations, the forces expect wider collaboration will deliver a more efficient and cost effective police service for local communities. Sue said: “We are very optimistic about finding ways of working more closely together in the future. We have a good track record with existing collaborations and there are clear benefits for both forces in pursuing further opportunities.” Wiltshire and Swindon PCC Angus Macpherson added: “It is important to stress that the forces are not merging; both will retain their own leadership and identity. Police budgets are in a very challenging state and in the coming years this collaboration would help find the savings that both forces need to make.”
Scrutiny meeting looks at police response to domestic abuse Domestic abuse is everyone’s business was the message of a meeting chaired by PCC Sue Mountstevens. Sue, supported by an expert panel including professionals, academics and survivors, came together to scrutinise the police response to domestic abuse following a report by the HMIC.
People in crises to receive better support following signing of Mental Health Concordat PCC Sue Mountstevens has joined local organisations in signing local agreements focusing on improving care for people experiencing mental health crises.
New Stop and Search pledges Sue Mountstevens has welcomed new pledges by Avon and Somerset Police to improve its use of the power to stop and search. Sue said: “Stop and search is an issue people often raise with me and I know what an emotive subject it is. It’s crucial that stop and search is done properly to help build trust and confidence in the police and strengthen the bond between the police and community.” Following open and transparent conversations with communities across Avon and Somerset, the Constabulary pledges to improve recording, be more transparent with figures and to explore using bodycams to record stop and search.
The organisations who have signed the agreements either work directly with people who have mental health conditions, commission services or are in a position to help people find treatment and support. In signing the agreements they have committed to a series of principles ensuring that people in mental health crisis are kept safe. Sue Mountstevens signed the Crisis Care Concordats alongside Acting Chief Constable John Long and representatives from the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups of South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset as well as the Great Western Ambulance Service.
The pledges also include: reducing the number and increasing the quality of stop and search, involving the community in stop and search training, using community feedback better and coordinating action into a strategy for continued improvement.
Local people share flooding experiences Over 200 local people attended a public meeting hosted by PCC Sue Mountstevens which saw agencies present their flood response plans to local communities. The winter of 2013/14 brought significant flooding across the Somerset Levels. The event was declared a major incident and lasted for almost three months, leaving residents severely affected and many properties devastated.
Having visited the floods and spoken to local residents Sue Mountstevens wrote to key agencies involved and suggested a public meeting to give local people an opportunity to hear about the latest plans should flooding happen again. Sue said: “I felt it important to host this meeting so that residents know what to expect if flooding affects their community this winter.”
Community Remedy gives louder voice to victims Victims of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) now have a choice about how those responsible will make amends for their actions following the launch of the Community Remedy.
New ‘Lighthouse’ service launched for victims A brand-new service offering increased support to the victims who need it most has been launched across Avon and Somerset. Victims who are vulnerable, intimidated, persistently targeted, or experience serious crime are the focus of the new service. They will be given both practical and emotional support and be guided through the criminal justice system. The service, called Lighthouse, has teams made up of both police staff and independent support workers and volunteers who are based in three hubs across the area. The new service helps realise Sue Mountstevens’ commitment to put the victim at the heart of the criminal justice system. Last year, work began to better understand the journey victims take and found that while a lot of good work was happening there were some gaps in the service. As part of a wider Integrated Victim Care programme, Avon and Somerset Police worked closely with partners to design and implement the new multi-agency teams. Speaking at the launch, Sue Mountstevens said: “Lighthouse has come a long way since it was originally talked about. I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved and the hard work that has been involved in getting to this point, the launch of our new service.” The new service was launched by Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove, who visited the Bristol Lighthouse office, speaking to senior officers and meeting the team.
The Community Remedy was introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Earlier this year, Sue Mountstevens asked local people for their views about how people who commit lowlevel crime and ASB are dealt with. As a result of the consultation, and where appropriate, victims across Avon and Somerset will now have the choice of Mediation, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC), Restorative Justice, Parenting Contracts, Reparation, Structured Activity and Neighbourhood Community Agreements.
Independent Residents Panel celebrates first anniversary The Independent Residents Panel has now been running for more than a year. The panel was introduced by Sue to help fulfil her pledge to make policing as open and transparent as possible and allow local people to scrutinise police complaints. It is made up of volunteers who meet at least four times a year to examine key areas of policing. After meeting they produce a report of their findings and submit it to Sue for her consideration.
Celebrating success at the 2014 Neighbourhood Policing Awards Men and women who serve their communities, going above and beyond the call of duty, were celebrated at this year’s Neighbourhood Policing Awards. The awards are organised jointly by Sue Mountstevens and Avon and Somerset Police and reward dedicated officers, staff and volunteers for their hard work making sure the communities of Avon and Somerset are safe and feel safe. Earlier this year, members of the public were invited to nominate police officers, staff and volunteers who had gone above and beyond the call of duty, shown commitment or dedication or made a difference in their community. Across seven categories, winners were chosen for each policing area. The winners were invited to an awards ceremony which was held at Cadbury House Hotel in Congresbury , where overall winners were announced. Sue said: “These awards are a chance for us to celebrate some of the most inspirational, selfless and dedicated people working in our communities. It’s particularly special for me because the nominations come from members of the public – residents who have taken the time to write in with compliments about the fantastic work of all our winners. To all of our winners this year I say well done.”
Putting victims at the heart of the Criminal Justice System The communities of Avon and Somerset are fortunate to have many fantastic people providing victim services. However there is always more that can be done to support victims in their journey to recovery. One of these ways is Restorative Justice. Both Sue Mountstevens and Avon and Somerset Police have made a commitment to develop Restorative Justice and put victims of crime and anti-social behaviour first. Following funding from the Ministry of Justice to build capacity and fund restorative justice services, Sue Mountstevens will work with partners involved in delivering restorative justice in Avon and Somerset to strengthen provision and design a restorative justice delivery model to inform commissioned services. Sue said: “It has always been my vision to develop access to Restorative Justice at every stage of the criminal justice process. I support any measure that allows the voice of victims to be heard, helping them to reach closure that cannot be found in sentencing alone.” Helen Rosenthal, Restorative Justice Development Manager for Avon and Somerset said: “In developing a Restorative Justice approach and presenting our vision for the future we can ensure a commitment to including people, to open communications, and to be open in our need to do things differently.”