Jeff Cuthbert, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, says the upcoming general election could make the world of policing “look very different in four or five years’ time”, as he marks the one-year anniversary since his appointment.
Former Caerphilly AM Mr Cuthbert was elected to the role on Thursday May 12 2016, and has reflected on both the successes and difficulties of the past 12 months, while outlining his future plans.
He said: “My role as PCC enables residents to have a greater say in how policing services are provided for them and to become actively involved in decision making which relates to their local service provision.
“Through events, forums and public surgeries my staff and I have visited all of our key partners during the last year which include town and community councils, local authorities, elected officials and local business leaders in the area.
“Only by listening to people’s issues and concerns and by putting the needs of individuals at the heart of what we do, can we seek to provide the best possible quality of life for our citizens.”
Mr Cuthbert referenced his four-year plan – which was launched in March – as one of the achievements of his year in office.
The Delivering a Safer Gwent Police and Crime Plan 2017 – 2021 provides the strategic direction for how policing and crime services should be delivered in Gwent over the next four years, and is based on the priorities which residents referred to in consultations.
The priorities include: crime prevention; supporting victims; community cohesion; tackling anti-social behaviour; and effective service delivery.
The PCC also hailed the work done to build partnerships between Gwent Police and the community, and paid tribute to outgoing Chief Constable, Jeff Farrar.
He announced 120 extra officers will join the force during 2017/18, but warned: “We will have to wait and see what the implications are for policing and wellbeing following the General Election”, adding “I am now looking forward to the next year and my focus will be on ensuring the people of Gwent have the best service possible. You can rest assured that I will continue to work hard on improving policing and in driving forward essential partnerships to keep our communities safe.”
Hopefully the Tories will win and put the responsibility for policing where it belongs – with trained police officers ! and that these so called ,”partner agencies”are consigned to the history books !
What about the people who don’t live in Gwent? Caerffili, Ystrad Mynach, Llanbradach and so on. We are all in Glamorgan but never get a mention, nor even a proper police station open 24 hours a day.
As you say – residents living in the areas formerly covered by South Wales Police appear to be forgotten.
In comparison to Gwent Police ,South Wales Police appear to be a more proactive force.
As for Police Stations open 24 hours, it is a joke.
In Caerphilly we are getting a ” Police Office “( not a Police Station ).
It’s a complete joke.
We are getting fed hype & spin but no tangible improvements !
Yes John, we are getting a ‘cop shop’ which will be locked up at 5pm each day – what a waste of money though Labour and Plaid seem pleased by it, according to their election literature.
It’s another “smoke & mirrors” exercise to fool the public.
I agree – it’s a total waste of money.
If the Police stopped wasting money on all the gimmicks they would have an instant pot of money to spend on increased police presence in our communities !
It’s disgusting that a town like Caerphilly will not have a proper police station.if they stopped moving around, wasting money on removal vans maybe we would have a police station and not a police office. You Richard seem to be the councilllor to tell the truth while your colleagues are more than happy to have the wool pulled over their eyes by Gwent police
On the subject of the Police wasting money – I think it would take a small miracle to change that !
Yes I agree with you there Edward – I do not know Cllr Richard Williams personally but I admire his honesty and straight talking on the articles posted.
It’s a pity more of the Borough Councillors don’t follow his example.
Alas no longer a councillor, you need to put your trust in Plaid and Labour now.
On the subject of a police station I believe it is a disgrace that our town does not have one. In the words of Independent Town Councillor, Ed Talbot, at a meeting this year “Not having a 24 hour police station is an insult to the people of Caerphilly, I am fed up of us feeding off crumbs from someone’s table.” I agreed with him then and I do now but until people are willing to make demands of their elected representatives this situation will only get worse.
It is absolutely ridiculous that we are suffering cuts in many areas when the council believes it is reasonable to pay senior officers, who have not done a stroke of work for years, £ Millions. The system is broken and will remains so until the electorate vote for a more balanced council. I am not party political and recognise that some of the councillors in other parties work hard for the community but nobody can convince me that a borough of just over 70 councillors where 49 are Labour, or a town council where 10 out of 12 members are Plaid is a healthy democracy. The reality is that a very few people are calling the shots and that does not bode well for our future.
The pay scandal was brought into the public domain once discovered, but it makes you wonder what else is kept hidden ?
I totally agree with your comments that it cannot be a healthy democracy when a very few people are calling the shots.
As a resident I do not have any faith in Caerphilly Council and following the pay scandal,neither do I trust them to run the authority in a proper and business like manner.
They keep on about how they continue to provide services in such a tough climate and how they have protected jobs – look around any community and you will see evidence where services have been neglected and as for protecting jobs their statement is misleading as many jobs have been lost via the “back door” by cutting posts and not replacing staff who leave.
I thought the PCC was suppose to hold the chief Constable to account? Instead they have jumped into bed with them and defends them even if they are wrong. I have said it before and i will say it again leave policing to the police.
I would also like to know where these 120 constables are? Because i have seen less police on our street than i have ever seen