Police Commissioner outlines plans for keeping South Yorkshire safe

CUTTING crime, protecting vulnerable people and improving police visibility have been earmarked as top priorities by Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright in his blueprint for the next five years.

Cllr Wright launched his first South Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan for South Yorkshire on his website at www.southyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk.

Mr Wright said that he aimed to replace the 110 officers due to leave the force during 2012/13, as well as replace a further 60 leavers in 2013/14.

He will also maintain the number of Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs) during 2013/14.

Mr Wright’s Police and Crime Plan for 2013-17 says he will work with the force and partners to protect vulnerable people in South Yorkshire by investing £500,000 to fund additional specialist public protection unit officers and training for staff, as well investing in providing enhanced services for young victims of crime.

Increasing police visibility will involve boosting the numbers of Special Constables from 290 to 650 by April 2015, as well as “badging-up” vehicles and buildings that currently have nothing to indicate they belong to the police.

Mr Wright said: “In delivering these objectives, I am being forced, as a result of Government cuts, to allocate an extremely challenging value for money budget, some £6.1 million lower than that of the Police Authority in the previous year.”

Mr Wright said: “I want to make South Yorkshire the safest place for people to live, learn, work and run their business.

“Our police officers work very hard, and implementing my priorities will help them to further reduce crime in the county and make people feel safer.”

Comments on the plan are now being accepted via email at [email protected].