Commissioner's update for March

It's been extremely varied and interesting and I feel that much has been achieved. I had anticipated that the pace would be a little less frantic following completion of the Police & Crime Plan for Gwent but that has not proved to be the case!

You can see a list of where we have been and who we have been meeting during March here:

http://www.gwent.pcc.police.uk/engagement/events-and-meetings.

You can also follow my Twitter feed @gwentpcc which provides day to day updates of my work on your behalf.

I have now officially launched the plan and it enables you to see in greater detail what you can expect from me over the next four years. I have listened to concerns raised by residents and victims of crime since I took up the post, and this is my chance to explain what I am going to do tackle those concerns.

You can read the Plan here: http://www.gwent.pcc.police.uk/plan/ 

Meeting and listening to the residents of Gwent does not end with publication of the Plan. This is an on-going process and enables me to better understand what the police are doing well and what areas need improving.

The Victim's Voice events held around the force area have given me a great opportunity to meet and speak with victims of crime who have been on the receiving end of our service. This helps to inform the changes we need to make to improve the public's confidence in their police force.

If you are interested in inviting me to one of your events or meetings please contact the office and my Deputy or I will try to attend.

I was delighted to support Gwent's Deputy Chief Constable, Jeff Farrar at the launch in Newport of our new Missing Children Team. This is a pioneering project in Wales and I congratulate him and his team on a job well done. The team will bring together police officers and experts in health, education and social work to ensure that we share information and provide the best service possible to vulnerable young people. Another theme of activity this month has been wildlife crime.

Much of Gwent is rural and it was helpful to meet with both the Countryside Alliance and the RSPB to ensure that their members' concerns are also taken into account. I have been putting money from the Police Property Act Fund to good effect this month by supporting the High Sheriff's "Your Voice, Your Choice" event.

My staff have also completed the task of evaluating over 70 applications for grants from the PPA fund.

During February we invited bids from community groups and organisations that prevent crime and ant-social behaviour or divert people away from crime.

A number of organisations across Gwent have been selected to receive grants from the fund and I am looking forward to visiting the successful groups and seeing the difference that they can make.

Thank you for reading this update.

If you wish to contact me for any reason, or if you have any comments or suggestions about policing in the Gwent area you can e-mail me: commissioner@gwent.pnn.police.uk, telephone me 01633 642200, fax me 01633 643095 or write to me at the address below:

Ian Johnston, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Police Headquarters, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 2XJ. www.facebook.com/gwentpcc  Ian Johnston