New Year message to public to get involved in consultation (From Keighley News)

New Year message to public to get involved in consultation

10:00am Friday 4th January 2013 in Keighley

Keighley people are being urged to air their views on what they want from the region’s police force.

The plea has been issued in a New Year message by West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson.

He was elected to the role in November, and is currently consulting the public ahead of formulating a budget and police and crime plan.

“They have to be set within the next couple of months and I fundamentally believe that whatever the governance structure, it is the needs and concerns of people in their communities that should be heard and understood and set the agenda for action,” Mr Burns-Williamson said.

He added the year ahead would see huge challenges but also opportunities.

Government funding cuts to the police force, local government and partner organisations would further diminish the level of resources available, he warned.

But he added: “The opportunities presented are for new ways of providing policing and crime prevention that best meet the needs of people across West Yorkshire.”

In an appeal to Keighley News readers, he said: “Many understandably disengaged with the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner, but having been elected, I ask you to engage with important decisions that have to be taken that will directly affect your lives and the funding to your communities.

“I have launched a consultation – ‘Listening to You’ – with a questionnaire I hope will provide you with the framework to set out your priorities, but also your needs and concerns for policing and crime prevention.”

The survey can be found at smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=64082bmteo or paper copies can be sent by calling 01924 294000.