I WOULD like to wish everyone all the best for 2017.

At this time of year, my thoughts are especially with those that selflessly work through the festive period putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us all safe.

I’d like to thank every member of West Yorkshire Police, the fire and rescue service, health services and community volunteers throughout the county, and would ask everyone to spare a thought for their hard and inspiring work.

We have had some challenging and deeply awful times in 2016. The brutal murder of the wonderful Jo Cox MP is a day that our communities and I will not forget, but it is also important for us to remember how incredibly our communities’ responded. Millions of pounds have been raised for good causes following the murder of Jo, thousands of people lined the streets of Wakefield to show their respects at the funeral of a father and daughter killed in a house fire, and there was a large and continuing response to the Boxing Day flooding in Bradford, Leeds and Calderdale during the past 12 months.

I have just released the new Police and Crime Plan following extensive consultation and have made commitments to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, safeguard vulnerable people, make sure criminal justice works for our communities and to support victims and witnesses. I will be working tirelessly with the police and with our many partners, but also with our communities, to deliver on these commitments set out in the plan.

I am sure 2017 will bring many challenges, as well as opportunities, and we will carry on learning and understanding lessons and never be complacent. There’s a huge task ahead of us but I am confident that if we all work together, we can continue to keep our communities safe and feeling safe.

Have a fantastic New Year.

MARK BURNS-WILLIAMSON

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner