Have say on police plans (From Dudley News)

Have say on police plans

11:00am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Local

RESIDENTS in Dudley are being given the chance to have their say over new local policing plans due to come into force in April.

West Midlands Police is currently putting together its yearly 2013/14 policing plans for each of the ten local policing units across the region.

And this year the force is taking advantage of social networks to maximise the number of people who are consulted about the plans.

A short online survey has been designed to capture what residents want their local officers to focus on in their area.

The surveys can be found in the “What’s new” section on the local neighbourhood web pages.

And the 250,000 followers across the force’s Twitter and Facebook sites are being encouraged to take part and help the force shape the plans.

Assistant chief constable Sharon Rowe said: “Whether it’s youths hanging around in Yardley or car crime in Coventry, we want to hear what matters to you most. We are here to serve you and we want to make sure we are dealing with the issues that affect your everyday lives.

“Our aim is to get as many people as possible to tell us what issues concern them. The relationship between our officers and the public is at the heart of everything we do.

“Through our daily contact with residents we know the majority of people have strong views about the things that affect their daily lives; we want to make sure we capture as much of that information as possible.

“This survey supports the work going on across the force which sees members of the public going to local police meetings and working with officers to set their neighbourhood priorities.

“Those meetings are crucial to local officers understanding the concerns that local residents have and this survey is part of that invaluable work that goes on across the force week in, week out.”

Bob Jones, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Nearly three million people live in the West Midlands, and policing must be responsive to this huge diversity.

Local people know best the issues facing their area, and I welcome every opportunity for people to have their say.”

For more information about neighbourhood police meetings in your area, visit your local neighbourhood website.

The surveys is available online until Sunday January 27.