IS THE FORCE MAINTAINING 'NORMAL' POLICING SERVICES DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK?

THE VOICE of Atherstone at policing's top table has been "specifically" requested for its views over a range of community safety issues across the district.

Residents have told it has "never been more important" to get good feedback on how they rate the force in terms of performance and maintaining "normal" policing services during the Covid-19 outbreak.

A new question-and-answer format has been devised to get round current restrictions on people's movement which are making direct engagement with the public much more difficult.

And this will enable police and crime commissioner Philip Seccombe to raise any major concerns from the public with the Warwickshire force's senior law enforcement team early next month.

And a PCC spokesman said Mr Seccombe was particularly interested in the views of th Atherstone area, adding: "We specifically want feedback from the town."

Mr Seccombe added: "There's no doubt that during the current Covid-19 outbreak we have all had to change the way we go about our daily lives and I have been really encouraged by the way in which the public has embraced the 'Stay Home, Save Lives' messages.

"The evidence has shown that the overwhelming majority of people are complying with the restrictions and the police have had to use their enforcement powers on only a few occasions.

"This is excellent news but of course we need to continue to maintain social distancing in order to prevent the spread of the virus, reduce as far as possible the pressure on our vital NHS and social care services and to bring the current crisis to a resolution more quickly.

"This does mean that public meetings and other opportunities for me to engage directly with the public have been suspended but it's important that I continue to hear people's views and feedback on policing so that's why I'm keen to try new approaches.

"It remains an important principle that policing in this country is done with the public's consent.

"That's why, I need to hear your views too so that I can ensure that these are put to the force's senior leadership and they in turn have the chance to respond.

"I'll be looking to put a range of questions to the force when I next hold my regular Performance Accountability Meeting in early May, so please do get in touch to let me know what you think are the most important issues.

"There's no formal agenda for what topics will be discussed as that's very much up to the public, though I'm sure people will have questions or observations about how well the force is adapting to the current pressures and the emerging issues Covid-19 brings.

"It's hugely important that there is confidence in the policing response to the crisis and so good feedback from Atherstone has never been more important. I do hope that people will take up this opportunity and get in touch."

Questions can cover all aspects of policing and community safety, including how the force is maintaining normal policing services during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Topics will be collated and put to the force thematically, dependent on the response received.

Anyone who wants to raise a question or has feedback – positive or otherwise – on aspects of policing can get in touch with Mr Seccombe by emailing [email protected].

Questions received by next Thursday (April 30) will be collated and put to the force by the commissioner using telephone conferencing at the Performance Accountability Meeting on May 5.