A survey about support for Policing in Sussex:

Neighbourhood Watch colleagues, residents, their families and friends can now take part in the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner’s consultation for the 2018/19 Police Precept. This proposes to increase the police element of council tax to sustain policing in Sussex.

The Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, has launched a county-wide consultation to ask the public if they would be prepared to pay more for policing in Sussex. Can you please spare a few moments to complete a very short survey?

The PCC has opened an online survey via her website to seek residents’ views on supporting policing in the county. She explains: “I know that residents support Sussex Police in preparing for threats like terrorism and cybercrime, but I’m also aware that issues closer to home, such as anti-social behaviour, are affecting local people.”

“In previous years, the Chief Constable has asked for my help to raise more funds to invest in specific areas of policing, including public protection, community investigation and armed response. Thanks to the money you’ve already contributed through your council tax, Sussex Police has been able to build its capacity and capabilities in these areas, and others, to deliver a more effective and efficient service to the public. Now we need your help to sustain this service.”

Last year Mrs Bourne carried out her biggest consultation to date: almost 4,500 people responded with nearly 80% supporting an increase in the police precept part of their council tax bill.

Sussex Police has already saved £76m since 2010, and the Chief Constable’s Local Policing Plan is working towards delivering further savings over the next four years.

“The Chief Constable and I are continuing to work together to drive further reform, and substantial progress has already been made through collaboration with local and regional partners and through investment in mobile technology,” added Mrs Bourne.

“I want to help Sussex Police explore and identify all opportunities for investment. That is why I have carried out a review of the amount of money Sussex Police holds in its reserves and released £15m to reduce the impact of reductions in police officer numbers. I’ve done this because I recognise the scale of the impact that these changes are having on the police and the public, and I remain committed to investing in local policing.

“I am also seeking further sources of external funding, including contributions from new building developments that lead to increased demand on local services. I – and other Police & Crime Commissioners – continue to negotiate with the Government for more funding for policing, as well as asking for the removal of the current cap on the police precept.”

You can find a link to the online survey, as well as further information, at www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/public-consultations . We know that some people are, understandably, hesitant to click on links sent by E-mail. If you feel uncomfortable about following this link you can also search online for the PCC’s website, where you will find the link to the survey clearly displayed on the home page, and also there is a short video explaining why the increase is being proposed.

Do you support this proposal? Please give your views by taking part in this short survey by 5th January 2017. We would encourage you to forward this message to all your neighbours and friends in Sussex.

For more information or to contact the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner please visit www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk .

This was the message we received recently to explain the delay in setting up the CSW Scheme and obtaining the equipment –

“We are terribly sorry for the long time it’s taken us to get the items together for your order.  I know it’s no excuse but the most important element has been hold up by customs for a month.  The PocketRadar was only released day before yesterday by HMRC and will be delivered to us tomorrow. At the same time a barcode printer needed to put new QR codes to be put on your device was also hold up and when finally delivered was missing a part and the labels.We have been holding your Executive Jacket, tuning forks, certificates and device pouch that come with the PocketRadar for the past four weeks as we cannot afford to split the shipment. CSW Online is a volunteer organisation managed without any funding whatsoever from any Sussex authority and is wholly reliable on four people contributing with their various, specialist efforts after finishing our daily work schedule.

We will get the items to you as soon as we have the PocketRadar.  Again, we’re terribly sorry for the delay.  It’s been an extremely unusual situation with delays caused by circumstances outside of our control.  One day hopefully, we’ll be able to stock most of the shop items to avoid these unnecessary delays.

It is unfortunate that volunteer community involvement gets so little support.  We have had to build the software and establish the organisation entirely on our own accord.  Police forces are no longer in a position to enforce road safety to the extent that public expect.  Your and our voluntary contributions are becoming essential to uphold some level of control of the problem of speeding.  By winning the Home Office’s Lord Ferrers Innovative Technology Award on Tuesday, we hope that CSW Online will become the standard across the UK and consequently lead us to funding alleviating situations like the one we have had to subject you to.

Again, I am really sorry for the delay.”

The “italics” above have been added. We hope we will be able to contribute to some reduction in speeds through out villages.