Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis spoke with hundreds of people in Burton yesterday (Mon).
Mr Ellis heard about the issues that matter to shoppers at Sainsbury’s and Asda in the afternoon and answered questions at a public meeting at Burton Town Hall in the evening.
As part of the ‘Let’s Talk – Coming To You’ event, The Commissioner visited crime victims, saw how mobile technology is freeing up police time and met with partners.
He also witnessed an Operation Nemesis anti-drugs event co-ordinated by local officers which involved over 100 young people at Paget High School in Branston.
He said: “It was great to get out and about speaking to so many people in Burton during a busy day yesterday.
“First thing, there was a partnership meeting about understanding some of the challenges that the different agencies have working together.
“Then we went over to Paget School for the most amazing session with about 120 to 130 young people educating them about drugs. There was great debate with teachers, experts on drugs and even some individuals who’d had a life on drugs and now come off it, telling the young people about the challenges they face and the disaster it will be if they go down the wrong route.
“There were two great supermarket surgeries where I listened to local people. Yet again, it was really good to hear that people already know what we’re doing and were telling me about it.
“There was also an opportunity to look at where we are with mobile technology. I met an officer who was trialling new tools to make the front-line job easier by freeing up officers’ time and creating thousands of extra hours of visible policing
“After this there was a really motivational visit to a victim who has suffered lots of anti-social behaviour. There’s been tremendous support of late from the police who have stepped up to the plate and are working with local people to beat those who have caused the problems.
“They are turning the tables on those who are causing issues in their community. It’s a great example of police and local people working together to get to the right solution.
“In the evening there was a really interesting, lively public meeting at Burton Town Hall. It was a good hour and a half of solid discussion, debate and questions on the plans for the future and why things will be better in two years’ time.”
