We recently attended the Mid Sussex Older People’s Council AGM in Haywards Heath, where we heard from Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. Katy was re-elected by the public in May 2016 to hold the Chief Constable of Sussex Police to account for the performance of the police force, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve. Katy gave us an insight into her role. She is responsible for setting the strategic direction and priorities for Sussex Police through the Police & Crime plan. This includes setting the overall police budget of £287m (2019/20) and local police precept – the amount residents pay for policing in their council tax. She also has a statutory duty to commission support services for victims of crime and to deliver community safety initiatives including restorative justice and crime reduction grants.
Katy works with the community and the Chief Constable to set the strategic direction and priorities for Sussex Police, which over the next few years will include getting more police back on the beat. Katy is very keen that we, as members of the Sussex community, should help shape the priorities for Sussex Police. If you would like to know more or would like to feedback your views Katy can be contacted on 01273 481561 or emailed at pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk.
Talk Sussex is an interactive and innovative programme of engagement events that gives you a real voice on policing and crime. They provide a chance for you to tell the PCC how safe you feel in your area of the county and where/how you would like to see the policing budget spent.