Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis spoke to a packed Brewood Women’s Institute meeting as part of his ongoing engagement activites.
The Commissioner wants to visit local groups across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to speak about the progress made so far and other work to make sure the police respond appropriately to demand and victims are at the centre of the criminal justice system.
He talked to over 30 members of the WI in Brewood, South Staffordshire, about ongoing work to make policing more visible through new mobile technology.
Mr Ellis also covered subjects including mental health, reducing re-offending and the Police Cadets and answered questions during the 90-minute session.
He said: “I would like to thank Brewood WI for inviting me to be their guest speaker and giving me such a warm welcome.
“It was an excellent and enjoyable time with intelligent discussion and debate. Mobile technology introduced across Staffordshire will help officers to become more visible in communities – particularly in rural areas like Brewood.”
Brewood WI President Angela Jones said: “It was a very revealing and interesting talk from the Police and Crime Commissioner who is working hard on our behalf. We’re hoping to invite him back to speak again very soon.”
The Commissioner says 2016 could be a defining year for policing and is keen to update local community groups as part of his ongoing engagement activities.
He said: “Speaking to more than 20,000 people since I started as Police and Crime Commissioner, at supermarket surgeries, Let’s Talk events, community groups and other meetings and events, has been invaluable and allowed people to raise issues on their minds.
“2015 saw a lot of changes and developments with work to make policing better, holding it to account and making it more responsive to the communities it serves.
“So, even if your community group had a visit from me 12 months ago or less, there’s a lot to update you on now.”
Community groups can contact the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office on 01785 232270 or email pcc@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk . They can also write to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Staffordshire Police HQ (Block 9), Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0YY.
To read more about the Police and Crime Commissioner’s key priorities in his Safer, Fairer, United Communities strategy click here
