Julia Mulligan, the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire (22 November) took office, formally beginning her new role.
Julia began by outlining her plans for talking and meeting with the public over the next few months as she develops her Police and Crime Plan, working closely with North Yorkshire Police and other partners.
Before Christmas there will be announcements on series of policies and initiatives, including one-on-one surgeries, public meetings and other opportunities that will give people a chance to have their say in the Police and Crime Plan that’s being drawn up. Engaging with the public and giving them a say in the plan is a key priority of Julia’s and she will undertake a formal consultation with residents about the policing budget, together with North Yorkshire County Council.
Having spent her first morning with a group of victims; listening to their concerns and experiences of dealing with organisations involved in providing services; Julia today reaffirmed her commitment to putting victims’ views at the heart of decision making and a key focus of her term of office.
Commenting on her start Julia said:
Today is the beginning of a new era in local policing and crime reduction. I deliberately wanted to send a very clear message on my first day that I am here to give both local people and victims of crime a stronger voice in local policing.
This is why I have decided that my very first meeting as the new Commissioner should be with victims of crime and their representatives. I also want to announce today that over the next two months, I will be working with the police, Victim Support and other organisations to develop a local Victims’ Charter.
The Charter will focus on victims of crime and anti-social behaviour and will involve a two-month period of research. People will be able to have their say on Twitter, by Facebook and to contact my office directly via email. I will also be running a series of focus groups with victims of crime and with voluntary organisations involved in supporting victims.
The Charter will set out the standards of service to be expected by victims here in North Yorkshire and the City of York and will contain a number of recommendations about what we can do here to ensure that victims receive the support they need.”
To become involved in the development of the charter, please visit the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website www.northyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk
