PCC visits the Purfleet Trust

Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie’s last visit of the year was to the Purfleet Trust based in King’s Lynn.

The charity helps people experiencing homelessness in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and works closely with local police and probation services in the area. 

Giles and the Head of Commissioning at the OPCC, Stephanie Stearman, were shown around Purfleet’s Health and Wellbeing Centre, Pathways warehouse, the Purfleet Pantry, and one of Purfleet’s Training Houses. 

Giles said: “I would like to thank Paula and her team for making us feel so welcome.  I was so impressed with the range of services that the Purfleet Trust provide, particularly their support for women who are experiencing domestic abuse. 

“As Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, I am the voice of the victim, so as part of my Police, Crime and Community Safety Plan for Norfolk, my office works in partnership with agencies to commission effective services that support victims of high harm crime. Visiting their Health and Wellbeing Centre, Purfleet Pantry and their core services to support homelessness, it became very clear that they are making a real difference in their local community.” 

At the Trust's Health and Wellbeing Centre, Giles was welcomed by staff who explained the Purfleet's tailored and compassionate approach to tackling homelessness. 

The Purfleet Trust’s CEO Paula Hall said: "We were so pleased to welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner Giles Orpen-Smellie to tour our full range of services across King’s Lynn.  

“I was glad I could introduce him to our talented team and allow him to learn of our services which support not only people experiencing homelessness, but also act as an early intervention to tackle reoffending.  

“The team and I were pleased to hear of the Commissioner’s strategy for reducing crime and increasing community safety across West Norfolk, and we feel that we are a vital service in the area that supports this mission."