PCC in the Community: Engagement Round-up
Welcome to our Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) weekly Community and Stakeholder Engagement Round-up!
To keep her commitment to engage with communities and to ensure public voice is at the centre of policing and promote the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (OPCC) profile, PCC Clare Moody carry out weekly engagement visits to community groups, commissioned services, local authority, elected officials, faith groups, charities, residents, businesses, among other sectors across Avon and Somerset area.
Last week (4th-10th Nov) PCC Clare Moody carried out seven engagement activities, and these excludes other daily business meetings. Below is a roundup of where and why the engagements were arranged.
Diwali Celebration in Weston Super Mare
Last Monday evening Clare attended a community Diwali celebration in Weston-Super-Mare (WSM). Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world. People from diverse communities in WSM and surrounding areas joined the colourful event held at the Winter Gardens Pavilion. The event was organised by WSM Indian Community. Diwali is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and the light over darkness, and for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations.
Bristol and BANES
On Wednesday, Clare had the opportunity to visit the emergency accommodation at Police Headquarters in Portishead. Clare also met with Cllr Tony Dyer Bristol City Council Leader, where they discussed the recent riots, finances, the youth justice inspection, ASB, and child safeguarding, among other issues. She also attended Keynsham Police’s Independent Custody Visitors Panel.
In the evening Clare joined a roundtable discussion with Keynsham Youth Council, a group of young people aged 12-21 that voice their opinions and make local change within Keynsham. She talked about her role and her Police and Crime Plan priorities. Due to clash of meetings that evening, Forward Maisokwadzo, Community and Stakeholder Manager represented Clare at Bristol City Council’s Youth Council Conference held at City Hall, Bristol City Council.
Westfield Parish Council
On Thursday evening (7th Nov) Clare attended Westfield Parish Council where she talked about her role and Police and Crime Plan priorities. Councillors raised concerns about pit bikes on the roads and green spaces in Westfield, low policing levels resulting in spiralling anti-social behaviour / vandalism to play areas, speeding on A367 especially at night etc. They discussed how they can work together with the police to tackle these challenges. An example being increasing police visibility in the community.
Bristol conferences & Remembrance Day
On Friday (8th Nov) Clare spoke at a panel on Serious Youth Violence at Bristol’s One City Gathering held at City Hall, Bristol City Council. The theme for November’s City Gathering was Collaboration. The following day (Sat 9th Nov), Clare attended the annual Bristol Muslim Conference, whose theme was “Why is hate so popular? The power of social media.” Clare was a panellist where discussion focussed on post the riots and the part played by social media.
On Sunday (10th Nov) Clare joined civic leaders, veterans, faith leaders, members of the public, and MPs at the Remembrance Day event held in Bristol, where she laid a wreath. Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is a chance to honour those who have lost their lives in service. It is also a moment for us to remember our own officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
