Police Crime Commissioner (PCC)
PCC Newsletter February 2021 13/02/2021
Please see a link to the latest newsletter from Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
This issue contains stories on the police budget, the refreshed Police and Crime Plan, the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit and much more.
To read it visit https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/news-events/newsletter-february-2021
Best wishes
Message Sent By
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Yorkshire (OPCC, Communications, West Yorkshire)
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner
Refreshed Police and Crime Plan Launched
I hope you are well and I wanted to share my refreshed Police and Crime Plan with you which I hope you will find informative.
The Plan sets the strategic direction for West Yorkshire Police and our community safety partners.
At the heart of the Plan is our ambition to work together with the police and partners, and with our communities, to help achieve our shared vision of ‘keeping West Yorkshire safe and feeling safe’.
Key additions in this refresh are updated priorities to reflect new approaches, and challenges, to tackling crime in West Yorkshire.
These include:
- Emphasising the importance of safeguarding work, recognising the challenges and a continued priority of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.
- Citing ‘Serious Violence’ as a standalone priority for the first time.
- Recognising the vital work undertaken by the now established West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
- And building community resilience to help counter terrorism.
So please take a look, stay safe and best wishes.
Read Refreshed Plan Document: Police & Crime Plan 2021 Refreshed.pdf – 4,258.9 KB
Message Sent By
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Yorkshire (OPCC, Communications, West Yorkshire)
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner
Community To Play Key Role In Tackling Serious Violent Crime
Do you have what it takes to help combat serious violent crime?
>> More about joining
The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is calling on people across the county to join its first ever Community Advisory Group.
Members will be asked to use their own local knowledge to discuss challenges or concerns surrounding serious violence and how they can potentially be addressed.
Those selected will also help to evaluate new and existing interventions designed to respond to the issues being encountered.
West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit Director, Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh says it is a great opportunity to personally make a difference:
“The group will be owned and chaired by its members, providing a genuine voice for the community, whilst delivering tangible outcomes.
“The West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is now into its second year, and even within this relatively short timeframe, its unique public health-led approach has already begun to help turn the tide on violent crime and its drivers.
“It starts from the principle that prevention is better than the cure and brings together specialists from health, police, local authorities, education, youth justice, prisons, probation, community organisations and others.
“This means looking at early intervention, prevention, education and partnership working to tackle the root underlying causes of violent crime.
“Members of the Community Advisory Group must be open to learning about this work and willing to contribute to discussions on both a local and regional level.
“Likewise, you must play a role in sharing community safety messages, committing at least two hours every two months to the group, which can be undertaken in a virtual capacity.
“Serious violence is an incredibly important subject that remains high on the agenda nationwide and we cannot sit back and hope it goes away.
“Being part of our partnership effort to prevent and reduce its prevalence can be extremely rewarding, particularly when it ultimately protects those around us who we know and love.
“If we can all stand together in response to the issues we face in West Yorkshire, then we will have a better chance of bringing about positive and lasting change.”
Applicants must be over 18 and live within West Yorkshire. The deadline for submissions is midnight, Sunday 7th February 2021.
For more information, please contact vru@westyorkshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk quoting ‘Community Advisory Group’ in the subject or visit https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/wyvru-community-advisory-group
Message Sent By
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Yorkshire (OPCC, Communications, West Yorkshire)
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner
The VRU Community Advisory Group is recruiting members – February 7th
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) has an exciting opportunity for members of West Yorkshire’s community to join our first ever VRU Community Advisory Group.
Members will be asked use their local knowledge to discuss their concerns around serious violence, the challenges communities are facing and how these concerns can be rectified. The VRU will also ask members to comment on and evaluate new and existing interventions. Most importantly, this group will be owned and chaired by members – providing a voice for the community.
Criteria for Members
- Be over the age of 18
- Live within West Yorkshire
- Open to learning more about the work of the VRU
- Willing to contribute to discussions about local and regional serious violence
- Willing to share key community safety messages
- Be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours every two months (either virtually or in-person)
Registering an interest to be a member
Applicants are required to complete the attached expressions of interest form. The expression of interest form should be sent via email to: vru@westyorkshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk quoting “Community Advisory Group” in the subject. Deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 7th February. For more information please contact us using the email address above.
Grant Round Open To Support West Yorkshire Communities
West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has opened his latest grant round of the Safer Communities Fund (SCF) with £140,000 available, made up from Proceeds of Crime monies successfully secured by police and prosecutors.
Voluntary, community groups, charities and partners can now bid for grants of up to £6000 from the fund which has a strong theme of supporting communities, and a particular focus on safeguarding vulnerable people.
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: “In these truly unprecedented times we want to do all we can to help those most in need.
“I would welcome a broad range of project applications across all of the priority areas set out in my Police and Crime Plan. However, I am particularly looking for initiatives that support the more vulnerable such as younger people or the elderly, women and girls, those with disabilities or victims harmed by crime. Early intervention and prevention projects and those offering therapy or support are also very welcome.
“Crucially, projects must be in a position to get to work helping people right away. That means being able to operate within the current climate of Covid restrictions and in a Covid secure way.
“I really need everyone’s help in promoting this fund so that it can reach the areas where it will make the most difference, so please, if you know of a group this could help, let them know.
“I’m very pleased to be able to continue to offer this much needed funding and support during such unique and challenging times, which is also a great testament to the ongoing work of West Yorkshire Police and prosecutors in securing Proceeds of Crime resources.
“It was a key commitment of mine on being elected PCC in 2012 to ensure Proceeds of Crime monies found its way back into our communities affected by such criminal activity in first place, and it has never been more needed than at the moment during the pandemic.”
This latest grant opportunity is the 20th round of the Safer Communities Fund which has also just allocated grant round 19’s cash, of over £180,000 to 36 projects across West Yorkshire.
Projects funded include:
- Disability Partnership Calderdale, in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, with a project to educate and empower people to report BAME Disability Hate Crime.
- Radio Sangam in Kirklees who are implementing online Domestic Abuse Support for the South Asian community asking for help following incidences of domestic abuse.
- Guiding Light Leads in partnership with West Yorkshire Police, who will be delivering an Educate and Empower Black Youth Programme.
- Tigers Trust in Wakefield for their project ‘Tigers Try Time’ which will look to support and education about hate crime made against their women and disabled teams.
- Supporting the Keighley Pride event 2021 including security and providing BSL interpreters to ensure LGBTQ people will experience improved safety.
The fund initially launched in 2014 and has now allocated £3.6m to around 790 projects making a real difference across West Yorkshire.
A virtual celebration event, looking back at fund achievements and awards for grand round 20 will be held on Monday 22nd March. All current and past recipients will be invited.
The Safer Communities Fund is financed through money and assets recovered from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act by West Yorkshire Police and Prosecutors.
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable, John Robins, said: “These last few months have presented great challenges, not least for the many community and voluntary groups across West Yorkshire which, despite restrictions, have continued to provide vital help to those people who need it most. Whether it be supporting victims of crime, or making sure children’s or older people’s wellbeing is cared for during lockdown, we have seen volunteers step up their efforts and go the extra mile to meet growing demand on their services.
“Community groups and charities provide a lifeline to many people. They are applauded for their contribution to our society.
“Yet, the opportunities to raise funds and maintain their income has been reduced by lockdown restrictions, which is why I welcome the latest round of grant aid from the Safer Communities Fund and encourage groups to apply for well-deserved grant aid.”
The Safer Communities Fund closes for applications at 12 noon (mid-day) on Friday 12 February 2021.
To find out more about the fund and to apply, visit https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-communities-fund/how-apply
Message By
Message Sent By
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner West Yorkshire (OPCC, Communications, West Yorkshire)
PCC Statement After Announcement of Third National Lockdown
This is the last thing any of us wanted especially after everything we have already done to try and keep ourselves and our loved ones as safe as possible through this pandemic.
However, it is very clear that if we are to get a grip on these latest rising infection rates and reduce the harm the virus can cause, we all need to do our bit in following the new guidance in managing our own behaviours and activities. I know this is putting so much pressure on people and businesses, especially with schools now closing and my thoughts go out to everyone affected with their own individual pressures around what this lockdown will mean for their circumstances.
But I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to do the right thing collectively so that we can avoid exacerbating the issue further. By complying, we are protecting one another, our loved ones and those emergency service and key workers who are on the front-line of the response this winter, putting their safety before others on all our behalf’s.
The Police in West Yorkshire will continue to maintain their approach of engaging, explaining and encouraging the public, but using enforcement powers when and where it’s necessary for wider public protection purposes and I’ll be having further conversations with the Chief Constable and Policing Minister later today.
In the meantime let’s keep working together to help reduce the rates of this latest variant transmission and we will come out stronger and more quickly at the other end of this whilst the vaccine programme can be rolled out to the more vulnerable across West Yorkshire.
It’s also really important to emphasise that we’ve been working hard to ensure that support for victims of crime and vulnerable people are still readily available and accessible. I want those individuals who need help and support to know they have not been forgotten, and we are here for you.
There are support services that can help you and I want the public to know how they can access them and we will help them during these really testing times, whether or not you feel able to report to the Police.
To find out more about victims’ services in West Yorkshire, including to victims who do not want to report to the police, visit our website www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk or contact the office via email contact@westyorkshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk.
Victim Support provide a service that is local, independent and they are aware of the different options available to victims in West Yorkshire. If you’ve been affected by crime, please call your local victim care team in West Yorkshire on 0300 303 1971. Lines are open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday.
If you need support outside of their open hours, call the Victim Support Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111 or request support via their website https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/request-support
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner
A Message For Christmas and the New Year from the PCC For West Yorkshire
This past year or so will go down as a year like no other, and whilst it really is important that we don’t drop our guard at this crucial time, I hope that the upcoming Christmas and New Year period will provide some relief.
Whilst not wishing to focus solely upon the Covid-19 impact, the introduction of a vaccine is certainly good news and we can all hopefully move towards a sense of normality in the coming months. That will only happen though, if we all continue to do our bit. Let’s keep working together to reduce the rates of transmission and we will hopefully come out more quickly and stronger at the other end.
Despite all the difficulties this year, I am really proud of some of the work that we have been able to achieve together, such as the opening of a brand new state of the art Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for West Yorkshire, the Safer Communities Fund continuing to support hundreds of projects making a real difference across West Yorkshire, bringing new engagement and early intervention projects to our communities to tackle serious violence through the new West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), launching our first Victims and Witnesses Strategy – ‘Supporting People Harmed by Crime’ and many more. You can read more about these initiatives and lots more in my recently released Annual Report.
In the year ahead, the biggest new development is likely to be the devolution deal for West Yorkshire, and the election of a new ‘Metro-Mayor’. This has particular implications for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire, which will become embedded within the office of the new mayor, and there is much work to do to achieve a successful transition and for some of the complexities to be overcome.
We will continue to champion community safety working closely with West Yorkshire Police and our partners, providing support for the most vulnerable and those who are victims of crime, building on the many achievements over the last eight years since being elected into this role.
I couldn’t finish this message without mentioning the truly awe inspiring work and sacrifices made by our many key workers and volunteers during 2020. The same people who will be missing time with loved ones once again over this festive period, while they work to keep us all safe. A big and heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them, from the police, fire & rescue and ambulance services, to the NHS, teachers, shop workers, refuse collectors, delivery workers and all those that have been so brilliant this year.
Wishing you a safe, happy festive season and New Year.
Best wishes
Mark
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Annual Report
Message from West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner
I hope that you are well.
I would like to share my latest Annual Report with you which I hope you will find informative and interesting.
Please find a link to the report https://www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/our-business/annual-report which sets out the key activities and achievements of the year in my work as Police and Crime Commissioner and that of my office, West Yorkshire Police, and our many community safety partners on behalf of the public that we represent.
In a year like no other, partnership working has been key to ensuring communities, including victims and witnesses, are being effectively supported and the report highlights some of this work as the Covid-19 pandemic emerged.
I hope the report demonstrates and highlights the important work which has been accomplished during 2019-20, and I look forward to continuing to work positively, in partnership, helping to keep West Yorkshire safe and feeling safe.
Best wishes,
Mark Burns-Williamson OBE
Your Priorities Your Plan – Police and Crime Plan Consultation
A new consultation entitled ‘Your Priorities, Your Plan’ has been launched to find out what matters to the public, police and partners across the county to inform the new Police and Crime Plan for 2016-21
The consultation involves a survey on your priorities, but will also see the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire talking to communities and many of you in person over the coming months.
Please spare some time to fill in the survey and encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same.
For more information and to complete the survey visit www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/your-priorities-your-plan.aspx, or to request a survey call (01924) 294000.
Positive Identities Celebration Event
You have been invited to attend an annual celebration event for Barnardo’s Positive Identities Service to celebrate the work done by the service over the last 12 months.
Thursday 14 April – 1pm to 5pm
At The Shay Stadium, Shaw Hill, Halifax, HX1 2YS
Lunch and refreshments provided and workshops include:
- Learning from the Calderdale Hate Crime Project
- Exploring layers of Identity
- LGBTQ young people – the importance of faith and culture
Please RSVP by Thursday 24 March 2016by email to:
- Jo Bell at jo.bell@barnardos.org.uk
- Yasmeen Sharif at yasmeen.sharif@barnardos.org.uk
Or for further information call 01422 371993
