PCCs respond to the 'Prioritise this' campaign

By RhiaFavero
Monday, 15 April 2013
Cyclists' safety should be prioritised by police
In February CTC set up the ‘Prioritise this!’ campaign, which asked cyclists to email their newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and call on them to prioritise road safety in their imminent Police and Crime Plans for 2013-2016. Thank you to all 521 of you who took action.

Common themes emerged from the PCCs’ responses such as:

  • the need for police to work in partnership with other bodies to ensure road safety (e.g. highways agencies, local councils and community groups);
  • use of targeted operations such as cutting speeding, stopping mobile phone use whilst driving, and targeting young drivers;
  • and the pressure of resource cuts on the police.

Community Safety Partnerships

PCCs also emphasised the need to work with Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), which are made up of representatives of the police, local authorities, fire and rescue authorities, probation service and health service.

There are 322 CSPs in England and Wales: an average of 8 for every PCC. The CSPs’ remit is to protect local communities from crime like anti-social behaviour, drug or alcohol misuse and re-offending and to help people feel safer.  Each year they consult partners and the local community on local crime priorities in a similar fashion to the recent PCC consultations.

CSPs will share their annual community safety plan, strategy and reports on specific issues with PCCs. CSPs have a crucial role to play in advising PCCs on local safety issues, so are the ideal contact point for local cycle campaign groups to place informed content about road safety on the policing agenda.

More information about CSPs can be found on the websites of individual county councils, including how to contact them and what issues they are currently tackling.

Police and Crime Plans

Most PCCs stopped consulting on their police and crime plans in mid-March, but on-going contact between the public and PCCs and continued pressure on PCCs to prioritise road safety and vulnerable road users is encouraged.

PCCs have stated that they are very keen to engage with the public to discuss ideas and concerns, and they are also happy to be invited to group meetings or to arrange meetings with members of the public at their offices. So, if there is a road safety concern in your area do get in touch with your PCC to flag it up. 

Not all PCCs have published their plans yet, so we are still waiting to see if the concerns of CTC members have been fully taken on board.

Find out whether road safety and victims of road crime have been included in a particular draft plan.

Further action!

Keep road safety, and cyclists' safety in particular, at the forefront of PCCs' minds by engaging in dialogue with them and making sure your views are heard.
 
Give them a call, write a letter or email, send a message using Twitter or put together a petition and deliver it to their office.
 
Why not find out if your PCC is a cyclist and invite them along on a ride as an informal way to discuss cyclists' safety? For contact details check out each PCC's website. 
 
  
Police Safe drivers and vehicles