Earlier in March, PCC Mark Shelford hosted a forum in Portishead for North Somerset councillors. The event marked the final of a series of forums that have been held across the Avon and Somerset force area.

Since November 2022, the PCC has hosted nine events in eight local authority areas around the region including Bath City, South Gloucestershire, Mendips, South Somerset, Somerset West & Taunton, Sedgemoor, North East Somerset, Bristol and North Somerset.

The sessions were planned to provide an opportunity for councillors to meet with local Avon and Somerset Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams to discuss issues and challenges faced by local residents.  

 Commenting on the events, PCC Mark Shelford said: “I am delighted that I have been able to meet with so many councillors around the Avon and Somerset area and introduced them to their local policing teams.

“Councillors regularly speak to their local residents and hear first-hand their thoughts about policing and crime in their communities. Since being PCC, it has been of utmost importance to work with councillors to ensure we are delivering strong policing across every community in our area."

“These events have been an opportunity for councillors to raise and feedback concerns, issues and opinions directly to myself and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams so we can ensure effective policing for our communities."

The PCC also said: “I would like to thank the officers and staff of Avon and Somerset Police who attended the events with my team and took time out of their busy schedules to meet with councillors and hear their opinions”.

During each events, the PCC has provided councillors with an overview of his Police and Crime Plan. 

This consists of four priorities which include: preventing and fighting crime; engaging, supporting and working with communities, victims and partner organisations; leading the police to be efficient and effective; and increasing the legitimacy of, and public confidence in, the police and criminal justice system.

The PCC will be holding a second round of councillor forums in the autumn.

The purpose of holding a follow-up is for the PCC and Avon and Somerset Police to update on the progress of any issues that were raised previously and give the chance for councillors to raise further thoughts and feedback.