Parish, town and village councils working closely with Essex Police

PARISH, town and village councils from across Essex came together to find out how they could work more closely with police at an event sponsored by the Police and Crime Commissioner. [caption id="attachment_5788" align="alignright" width="300"] Chief Constable and PCC at EALC meeting[/caption] The Essex Association of Local Councils (EALC) hosted the event at the Foakes Hall in Great Dunmow, which aimed to help representatives from the smaller authorities to understand the key crime prevention work being carried out across the county by police and other community safety partners. It also focused on how EALC members can work more closely with police and partners to help build community safety and resilience. The conference included presentations from Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, who sponsored the event and spoke about his role, Supt Nick Morris who spoke about local policing in the county, and Chief Supt Luke Collison who discussed the Essex Community Messaging service which is funded from monies received from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and from the PCC. EALC Chair Cllr John Gili-Ross and Gwanwyn Mason, Assistant Director for Engagement at the PCC’s office, spoke about the importance of partnership working, whilst the issue of travellers, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Payback and Community Agents were also discussed. [caption id="attachment_5790" align="alignleft" width="300"] Essex Association of Local Councils meeting[/caption] Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I have said many times that, with the financial challenges we face and with crime changing, police resources for local policing are becoming more and more stretched. “Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that our partners in the public and community sectors work more closely with police to ensure we all do our bit to support police in their work and ensure we all contribute to keeping our communities safe. “I am grateful to the EALC for hosting this event as it provided an opportunity for our partners in the parish, village and town councillors to find out about the great work being carried out to prevent crime and keep our communities safe, and more importantly how they can be involved.” A panel, made up of Mr Alston, Mr Gili-Ross and Essex Police’s Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, also took part in a question and answer sessions at the event. The “Local Council Police Partnership” conference took place on Wednesday March 25.