PCC joins officers for Bradwell policing surgery

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Giles Orpen-Smellie, joined officers in Bradwell this week for a pop-up policing surgery.

As he prepares to launch his Police and Crime Plan consultation next month, the newly-elected PCC is visiting locations around the county to find out about the crime issues affecting residents and how local policing teams are working to understand and respond to community concerns.

Having accompanied officers on the beat in King’s Lynn last week, the PCC took part in the event outside Morrisons in Bradwell on Wednesday to hear first-hand the interactions between officers and local people.

Topics discussed included concerns about speeding motorists and anti-social behaviour.

Giles said: “As I prepare to consult the people of Norfolk on my Police and Crime Plan, I’m very aware that the priorities I set within that Plan will play a big part in setting the direction for policing in our county over the next three years.

“Engagement events like today’s policing surgery, and the time I spent on the beat with officers in King’s Lynn last week, give me the opportunity to hear first-hand about the crime issues affecting communities across Norfolk, and the daily challenges our policing teams face in tackling them.

“They’re a very real insight into what is happening on the ground which will help me in setting a Plan for Norfolk which is best placed to tackle the county’s key policing and crime issues.”

The PCC also met the team from a mental health support service delivered by Access Community Trust who are hoping to work in partnership with the local police to help relieve some of the pressure they face regarding providing mental health assistance.

Giles’ visit to Bradwell comes less than six weeks after he was officially sworn in as Norfolk’s PCC.

During his first few weeks in the role, Giles has been meeting with senior police officers and staff, partners and stakeholders, as well as members of his own team from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN), to find out more about the work taking place behind the scenes to ensure Norfolk remains a safe place in which to live and work.

Giles will be joining Speedwatch volunteers in North Walsham for his next engagement visit, scheduled to take place next week.