Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall welcomes community groups, local charities and partners to contact him and arrange an online conversation face-to-face, via Teams video call.
Peter McCall comments: “A large part of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner is to hear the views and policing concerns of the people of Cumbria.
“As I have said on many occasions, your priorities are my priorities and they form the cornerstone of my vision ‘we, not they’. I hope that I have managed to convey how important it is that we all take some responsibility to help keep Cumbria safe.
“I welcome local community groups to contact the office and organise a meeting, so that people can tell me about the service they are experiencing from the police. Social distancing does not mean that residents can’t have their say in Cumbria.
“In the past, public surgeries take place at various venues around the county throughout the year, at places such as Alston Saturday market, The Lanes shopping centre Carlisle, Booths in Ulverston, Barrow’s The Forum and Millom library.
“The difference being we can no longer ask members of the public to visit us in open spaces where there is a high volume of footfall or crowded areas.
“I hope people use this open invitation of arranging focus group meetings with me as a Covid friendly way of keeping in touch.
“The focus group meetings provide a safe opportunity for me to listen to local opinions and are designed to reassure the public that their ideas and suggestions are being listened to, albeit at a social distance.”
Jacq Cardy, Project Manager for South Whitehaven Youth Partnership comments: “I felt that our focus group Teams call with Peter McCall on Friday was a good way of getting our point across.
“The relaxed atmosphere during the meeting meant that we were able to say exactly what we thought and actually feel about the police. It was also really useful to learn more about the new Child Centred Policing team in Copeland.”
If your community group would like to take part in a focus group meeting, please contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner by calling 01768 217734, by post to Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Carleton Hall, Penrith CA10 2AU or email [email protected]