'Policing Your Community' – 'Open Engagement' In Runnymede!
Police & Crime Commissioner, David Munro (my right), Chief Constable, Gavin Stevens (centre) and Borough Commander, Inspector Nick Pinkerton, welcomed local residents to another in the Surrey-wide series of eleven ‘Open Engagement’ evenings (one in each Borough and District in the county). They explained how rapidly the nature of Policing has changed over recent years and were able to hear local feedback about the concerns and priorities across Runnymede, which the Commander and his Borough team are keen to address wherever possible. The matter of this year’s 10% increase in the police element of Council Tax was fully discussed and the fact that this funding would be used by the Chief Constable to provide a further 100 extra officers and operational staff across Surrey, was very well received. The importance of the visibility of a local police presence, and the critical role undertaken by Community Support Officers, were both factors of importance raised by attendees (particularly those representing the various Neighbourhood Watch schemes). A highly productive and informative session – don’t miss the one in your Borough/District!