Castledown FM interview Part 1 & 2
At the end of March I was interviewed by Barry Rhodes from Castledown FM on everything policing and crime in Wiltshire and Swindon. We go into a lot of detail about the role of PCC as well as issues such as ASB, knife crime, violence against women and girls, police visibility and lack of police […]
Youth services as antidote to ASB
I visited Marlborough on Saturday to support Caroline Jane Sadler and David Kinnaird, our candidates for town and Westminster elections. It was a tremendously successful turnout. I was also there to find out more about what Marlborough residents feel about crime and the PCC elections. I met a young couple involved in youth work who […]
Homelessness and the law
Had a very interesting meeting with Cllr Andrew Lord who has an MBE for his services to homeless people. He told me that Wiltshire and Swindon has a long honourable tradition of being very supportive to homeless and street homeless people. This has been achieved through partnership between the police, local authorities and the charitable […]
How fair and safe is the criminal justice system for women in Wiltshire and Swindon?
Last week I met with reps from a local women’s prison. I am arranging a user engagement exercise to determine how best to work with women on release, particularly when they have substance misuse issues. I am doing the same at a men’s prison. Two facts stood out in the women’s prison: Elsewhere provision has […]
Right Care, Right Person – what’s the situation in Wiltshire and Swindon?
I received a briefing yesterday on Right Care Right Person (RCRP) from the Metropolitan Police in my Criminal Justice and Health roles in South London. RCPC changes the way the emergency services respond to calls involving concerns about mental health. It is aimed at making sure the right agency deals with health related calls, instead […]
Lack of consultation by PCC on uniformed guards in Trowbridge
I have recently had interesting discussions about the Safer Streets funding in Trowbridge. I understand that the PCC has decided it will be spent on uniformed guards in Trowbridge Town Centre. I am also told that this is without any discussions with the local council. However, a PCC is elected to represent the communities of […]
Why I am standing for Police and Crime Commissioner
I am honoured to be standing for the Liberal Democrats as Police Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire and I thought I would take the opportunity to explain why I think it is so important. Firstly, the job itself. It is unfortunate that many people are still not aware of what the PCC actually does […]