PFCC Conference 2026: Powerful partnerships come together to co-ordinate keeping Essex safe
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) Roger Hirst MBE brought together colleagues from across the county for his annual conference.
Entitled The Power of Partnerships: Keeping Essex Safer Together, the event, at Colchester JobServe Community Stadium, enabled partners to hear of the work going on to combat crime and improve the life chances of residents.
Host and Deputy PFCC Joel Charles opened the conference and said: “Today’s conference is about the power of partnerships. I am delighted so many of you are here to participate. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you. You are going to get the opportunity to take part in interesting discussions today.”
Ahead of the day’s agenda, Mr Hirst MBE said: “When we work together as a team, we really make a difference. Let’s focus on what we have really achieved by working together. We do some stuff here that is dramatically better than any other parts of the country. Much of that is driven by our partnerships.”
He celebrated the success of the county’s Community Safety Partnerships; work to tackle violence against women and girls; the impact of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership; and that knife crime in Essex is down by 25 per cent since the start of the Violence and Vulnerability Unit eight years ago, with knife harm resulting in hospital reducing by half in the same period.
He said: “That is phenomenal success, particularly when you look at what is happening across the country. That is a tribute to how you all work in partnership. It is amazing work. That partnership has gone from strength to strength. This stuff works; it is evidence based and it is absolutely about the partnerships. No single agency can make it work alone.
“It is amazing work we do and it is really important we keep on doing it. This is an amazing community with a real ‘can do’ attitude.”
Key figures from the county – including chief fire officer Rick Hylton from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington – gave updates on the work their teams have been doing over the past year and looked to the future and how their services are changing.
Mr Hylton said: “When we talk about the future of fire and rescue, it is tempting to talk about fire engines, stations and tech. But, I want to start with Essex.
“Our population is growing and becoming more diverse, people are living longer, patterns of vulnerability are becoming more complex and more diverse. We have an ageing population who are isolated, living with dementia, poor mental health and the risk of exploitation. Traditionally, when we thought of fire and rescue, we thought of fire. Now, we are faced with climate change, field fires and greater flood risk.
“Through devolution, the way we deliver is changing. Our role has always been rooted in emergency responses. But, increasingly, it is about prevention, education, safeguarding and helping people before they reach crisis. It is something we should embrace.
“We have a shared ambition across Essex to keep people safe. We cannot achieve what we achieve for our communities without our partnerships.
“I am optimistic about the future as Essex has a strong record of working together. The relationships that exist across the county are among our best strengths.”
Mr Harrington, who recently announced his impending retirement after eight years at the helm, said: “It is important that we come together like this to talk and to think.
“Throughout my eight years, I have seen continued partnership working.
“Change is happing in our councils, police, fire and communities. Our partnerships have to change and develop. The one thing that does not change is the commitment in looking to work in partnership. That shared goal and trying to make places greater and safer so that people can flourish.
“This is my last conference. I am proud to say we have achieved a lot together. Keep those partnerships strong, keep them going. Keep working together to prevent harm and crime, and take every opportunity to intervene. Keep on helping people and keeping them safe.
“Thank you for the work you have done, and a personal thank you from me for your support. Keep doing it; you should all be proud.”
Other speakers on the day included –
- Dr Natasha Richards-Crisp and Jess Plant, from Creative Lives who told how creative arts have a part to play in keeping residents active and well
- Researcher Dr Katrina Wickes who spoke about her work delving into how commissioning services impacts the work on the ground
- Cath Pickles, founder of Restitute, who told of just one of her organisation’s families who were impacted by the abuse of one child by a sibling, urging those in the room who deal with similar incidents to consider the wider impact on the rest of the family and how they can help to support them better
- Sam Grant and Jim Pearson, from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU), who were joined by headteacher Landi Muca, from Victory Park Academy in Southend, who told how the VVU’s work directly impacts the 101 vulnerable students at his alternative provision
- young people Alexia, Ruth and Kai, from Epping Forest Youth Council, who urged delegates to not plan solutions for problems impacting young people without first hearing their thoughts, views and ideas
- Nick Cook, director of young people’s services at The Children’s Society, who challenged delegates to look back at how the world has changed since today’s 18-year-old’s were born – and to plan for what life could look like for the next generation of young adults born today
Delegates were also invited to take part in their choice of two workshops, focusing on the hidden epidemic of drug driving; why the survivor voice matters; exploring trauma informed practice on children, young people and their families; cyber crime with a cyber crime escape room activity; and problem-solving for safer communities with the VVU.
Mr Hirst MBE summed up the day and said: “I have had an amazing day.
“This is about the future. What we do today is about the future of our county. It is not just about dealing with today’s problems did; we have the capability of dealing with tomorrow’s problems today together.”
To view a video of Mr Hirst speaking at the conference: