Latest news with #PoliceandCrimePlan
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Gwent police and crime commissioner on first year of role
I can honestly say that is has been one of the most challenging, but also most rewarding, times of my career. In the last year alone, I have made three of the biggest decisions that a police and crime commissioner is responsible for. I have appointed a new chief constable, published my Police and Crime Plan, and set Gwent Police's budget. I appointed Mark Hobrough as chief constable of Gwent Police in December 2024. The appointment followed significant public engagement and a series of interviews with panels made up of partner organisations, community members, and young people. Mark's knowledge, and dedication to the people of Gwent, came through strongly. Six months on, I remain convinced of his passion and commitment for making Gwent a safer place for our residents. At the start of this year, I formally set Gwent Police's budget for 2025 – 2026. A significant part of this is now made up directly by money received through council tax, and it is my job to set the level of the council tax precept which is paid by residents. I believe the final budget is a fair balance between affordability and the money needed to create a safer Gwent and deliver on the commitments I have made in my Police, Crime and Justice Plan. The plan was launched in March and has five priorities which are: preventing crime and antisocial behaviour, making our communities safer, protecting the vulnerable, putting victims first, and reducing reoffending. I decided to focus on these areas following months of public engagement and focus groups with residents. They also reflect the commitments I made when campaigning for election. They are underpinned by my unwavering commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. While it has been a challenging year, I can honestly say that it has been a joy getting to know the different communities that make up Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. I have attended community groups, local events, spoken to residents and visited many of our schools to talk to children and young people. I remain incredibly proud of the trust and confidence residents placed in me when they voted for their commissioner. I promise to continue to work hard to make a difference for our communities and make Gwent a safer place for us all. Jane Mudd is the police and crime commissioner for Gwent.
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
PCC Andy Dunbobbin visits Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC
PCC Andy Dunbobbin spent time at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, at the Beacon Climbing Centre, on Sunday, May 18, to witness how the centre is using funding from the 'Your Community, Your Choice' initiative to support people recovering from substance addiction. Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, in partnership with North Wales Recovery Communities, is using the funding to run a climbing programme for individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Many participants also face mental health challenges and have previous involvement in the criminal justice system. The climbing sessions take place at the Beacon Climbing Centre and outdoors in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and see participants learn climbing techniques, practice teamwork through belaying and group problem-solving, and build confidence by confronting physical and mental challenges. During his visit, PCC Dunbobbin toured the facilities, spoke with programme leaders, and observed a demonstration session. He said: "It was inspiring to visit Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC and see firsthand how they're using this funding to support individuals on their recovery journey. "This initiative aligns with my Police and Crime Plan's focus on crime prevention and building resilient communities." Rachael Hobbs, adventure co-ordinator at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, added: "This funding is transformative for our climbing programme. "We ran a successful pilot last year that showed benefits for participants. "The support from 'Your Community, Your Choice' means we can make this programme accessible to more people in recovery and create sustainable positive change in their lives. "By scheduling these sessions on Monday evenings, we're not only teaching valuable skills but providing a healthy start to the week that helps their recovery journey." Ashley Rogers, chairman of the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), said: "Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC's climbing programme represents exactly what 'Your Community, Your Choice' is about – using funds seized from criminal activity to create positive opportunities that prevent future crime. "We're proud to support such an innovative project." Over the past 12 years, the 'Your Community, Your Choice' scheme has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 initiatives working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and support the priorities in the PCC's Police and Crime Plan. READ MORE: Ceremony marks the start of work on 54 new homes in Anglesey Funding comes partly from money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest contributed by the PCC. For more details on Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, visit To learn more about PACT, visit and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New deputy mayor for policing and crime named
A former probation officer and senior civil servant is set to be named as deputy mayor of policing and crime for South Yorkshire. Kilvinder Vigurs has been selected by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard as his preferred candidate for the role. Ms Vigurs began her career as a probation officer in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and most recently has served as Regional Probation Director in Yorkshire and the Humber. She said: "I am absolutely committed to spending my first few weeks going out to talk to people. You can read things, but you can't feel the emotions people have." As Deputy Mayor, Ms Vigurs will work with Coppard to oversee and improve policing and criminal justice services, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and to commission services to support victims and reduce offending. She will deliver the Police and Crime Plan, chair the Local Criminal Justice Board, chair the Safer Roads Partnership, and have close oversight of the Violence Reduction Unit. In recent months, South Yorkshire has made national headlines following rioting at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manvers, near Rotherham, and the fatal stabbing of teenage school boy Harvey Willgoose. Ms Vigurs said: "The first thing I need to do is talk to communities and ascertain what they think. "We need to talk to parents whose children have been victims of knife crime, we need go out to the communities who are experiencing daily anti-social behaviour that makes their lives a misery. "Clearly the media headlines are the bad news but I also think there is some good news to be sharing as well." In her new role she will also need to deal with the legacy of South Yorkshire Police's handling of events at the Orgreave coking works in 1984, the Rotherham child sex abuse scandal and the Hillsborough Disaster. Ms Vigurs said she promised to keep talking to CSE survivors to "make sure lessons have been learned" and said she supported the calls for an inquiry into Orgreave. Another area for her to focus on is the "fundamental accounting error" which led to a £65m hole in South Yorkshire Police's finances, with Coppard saying the results of an inquiry into the matter set to be made public later this year. Coppard, who will remain accountable for all the functions of Police and Crime Commissioner, said: [Kilvinder's] wealth of experience, her priorities, her values and her sheer determination to help people will help to change South Yorkshire for the better." Ms Vigurs' appointment is subject to a confirmation hearing by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel on Thursday 15 May Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North More on this story Related internet links
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Arrests after retail crime crackdown
Eight people have been arrested during a week-long campaign to target shoplifting in Surrey. Officers and PCSOs visited retail staff in Guildford and Waverley, while plain-clothed behavioural detection officers, trained to spot suspicious behaviour, blended in with shoppers. Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner said retail crime caused victims "financial, emotional, and sometimes physical harm" and also impacted the wider community. Lisa Townsend, who joined patrols in Farncombe, warned shoplifters: "The person browsing the aisle beside them could be a Surrey Police officer." The commissioner has vowed a return to "back-to-basics policing" in her Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for the force's priorities over the next three years. She said that Surrey Police's progress had been "really impressive" over the course of the year but that she had heard "loud and clear" that more must be done to tackle retail crime. About 200 members of the business community took part in a survey launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Surrey Police in March. The OPCC said a report on retail crime and the force's response will be published in the coming months. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Shoplifter who stole £60k in goods jailed Anti-social cart riding stopped by dispersal order Surrey PCC launches 'back to basics' crime plan Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Surrey Police
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Arrests after retail crime crackdown
Eight people have been arrested during a week-long campaign to target shoplifting in Surrey. Officers and PCSOs visited retail staff in Guildford and Waverley, while plain-clothed behavioural detection officers, trained to spot suspicious behaviour, blended in with shoppers. Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner said retail crime caused victims "financial, emotional, and sometimes physical harm" and also impacted the wider community. Lisa Townsend, who joined patrols in Farncombe, warned shoplifters: "The person browsing the aisle beside them could be a Surrey Police officer." The commissioner has vowed a return to "back-to-basics policing" in her Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for the force's priorities over the next three years. She said that Surrey Police's progress had been "really impressive" over the course of the year but that she had heard "loud and clear" that more must be done to tackle retail crime. About 200 members of the business community took part in a survey launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Surrey Police in March. The OPCC said a report on retail crime and the force's response will be published in the coming months. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Shoplifter who stole £60k in goods jailed Anti-social cart riding stopped by dispersal order Surrey PCC launches 'back to basics' crime plan Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Surrey Police
