Police invite public views on future priorities

The PCC is responsible for steering Avon and Somerset Police officers

People are being asked to share their thoughts on a draft policing plan meant to define a force's priorities over the next five years.

Clare Moody, Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), launched a public consultation on Wednesday to let people register their main concerns about where they live.

The consultation also asks people if they would be willing to pay more council tax to provide more funding for police services.

The public consultation will be open until 21 October.

PCC Claire Moody says the draft plan is based on the issued raised by the public during her campaign

The Police and Crime Plan is one of the legal duties of a PCC to provide the strategic blueprint for the area they oversee.

Ms Moody's plan includes strengthening neighbourhood policing to provide a visible police presence, engaging with communities, and tackling anti-social behaviour.

It also addresses the recent rise in violent knife crime, along with male violence against women and girls.

'Reduce violent crime'

"The priorities in the Draft Plan are based on the issues people raised with me during my campaign to become PCC and in the time since I was elected," Ms Moody said.

"I’m eager to hear your ideas on the mechanisms we can use to strengthen neighbourhood policing, reduce violent crime, prevent crime, support victims, and improve policing standards."

In addition, the survey will ask how much extra, if any, the public is willing to pay on their council tax bill next year (2025/2026), as it a key legal duty of the PCC to ask.

Currently, around 57% of the police budget comes from central government, while the other 43% is raised from the policing part of council tax, known as the policing precept.

A range of focus groups will also be held for those who are underrepresented or lack confidence in policing.