Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) which provided details of progress in the achievement of policing priorities in the Police and Crime Plan 2013-2017 (for copy see file of Minutes).

Councillor Scott referred to the press and publicity the PCC had received around his drugs policy, some of which had been negative, and stressed the importance of effectively communicating the policy and its reasoning.  Councillor Stoker also asked whether the Chief Constable’s position on drugs policy was the same as that of the Commissioner.  The PCC replied that the position on drugs policy of the Chief Constable was the same as his and, referring to publicity, informed the Panel that he would give the press a full briefing on his drugs policy prior to the drug symposium he would be hosting on 27 November 2014, which was referred to in his report.  Councillor Armstrong reminded the Panel that there would always be an issue of being mis-reported in the press.

Councillor Boyes expressed concern at the rise in the number of incidents relating to violence against the person, which had been explained by a change in the method of recording, and asked whether this rise would be a ‘one-off’ as a result of this change.  The PCC replied that this figure should plateau, although it would be monitored.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.