Tamworth people are being offered the chance to shape the future of policing at the most local level in their community by Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis.
They are being invited to join a new Safer Neighbourhood Panel for Tamworth borough which will examine and shape the work of policing, hold the Local Policing Team Commander to account and look at wider criminal justice and community safety issues in their area.
Application forms are available now until the closing date on 18 December for people who are interested in joining.
The local panels follow the success of the Ethics, Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) which was established as part of an overarching panel in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as part of the PCC’s ambition to make policing in Staffordshire the most open, transparent and ethical in the country.
Mr Ellis said: “This is a real opportunity for Tamworth people to play a part in holding all responsible for policing in their area to account and I’d urge residents to get involved.
“I make no apology for believing that truly local policing, and the public playing a part in influencing that policing is vital.
“You can shape policing at the most local level in your community by joining a Safer Neighbourhood Panel.
“The new spotlight on local policing performance that these panels will bring is invaluable in adding to the rigour I have introduced to overseeing policing.”
Tamworth will be the latest area to get a panel following successful launches in places including Cannock, Newcastle and South Staffordshire. Soon every local policing area in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will have one. Local residents and councillors sit on the panels with magistrates bringing additional expertise. Panels will influence local policing and community safety, scrutinise the work done by police in their area, give feedback to communities and examine the impact of community resolutions and restorative justice.
Councillor Stephen Doyle, Tamworth Borough Council Cabinet member for Communities and Public Health, said: “The new Safer Neighbourhood Panel gives Tamworth residents a perfect opportunity to get involved and have their say on how their neighbourhoods are policed, as well as raising issues of concern.
“It will help to make Tamworth an even safer place to live, work and visit – and I would encourage residents to join in and make their voices heard.”
Volunteers for Safer Neighbourhood Panel roles must be aged over 18, but otherwise the PCC is interested in attracting people from all walks of life irrespective of age, disability and ethnic background. Expenses will be paid.
Anyone interested in applying to join a Safer Neighbourhood panel in Tamworth can find the application form here
