The Police and Crime Commissioner is refreshing his Police and Crime Plan ‘Everybody’s Business’ and wants to hear people’s thoughts on what priorities matter to them.

A consultation is open on Commissioner David Lloyd’s website and residents, businesses, charities and organisations across the county are invited to have their say on how to tackle crime and make communities safer - giving their feedback by email or by post.

He said: “When I came into office over two years ago, I spent time listening to communities, local groups and partner organisations across Hertfordshire to hear about residents’ crime and policing concerns. That feedback became the foundation upon which I developed my first Police and Crime Plan ‘Everybody’s Business’.

“I feel that the time is right to take a fresh look at the Plan and make sure the focus reflects the changing landscape and the new responsibilities of my office, putting victims at the centre of all that we do. We face new and complex challenges in the area of safeguarding, particularly cybercrime, domestic abuse, honour-based violence and child sexual exploitation. There is also the rising threat of new psychoactive substances, also known as ‘legal highs’, which are causing untold damage.

“It seems right to me that the new plan should reflect the changing nature of criminality and is responsive to these changes.”

The core of the current Police and Crime Plan is delivering effective local policing. It centred around three key strategic themes which included a Public Focus theme about greater customer care across the criminal justice system, greater support for victims of crime and more ‘active citizens’, including the encouragement of volunteering.

Offender Pays is about making offenders pay for the costs they create, including recovering the proceeds of crime, as well as setting up paid rehabilitation schemes.

The Business Sense theme is about working more closely with local businesses, efficiency and taking a more business-like approach to Constabulary and partnership use of resources and assets.

Commissioner Lloyd said: “I would like to hear your views on whether the strategic priorities in my current plan reflect the needs of Hertfordshire. Do you feel that the strategic priorities are still the right ones and are there any emerging issues you feel should be taken into account? I welcome your comments to help shape the way I work and support police and partners to keep Hertfordshire safe and secure.”

The initial consultation will run until 17th April 2015 and responses can be emailed to: theplan@Herts.pnn.police.uk or sent by post to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, Harpenden Police Station, 15 Vaughan Road, Hertfordshire, AL5 4GZ.

After April, a draft plan will be published for consultation and further comment during May before the final plan is presented to the Police and Crime Panel and published in June.

More information can be found by visiting the Public Consultation page.

If you wish to contact the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner you can email: commissioner@herts.pnn.police.uk  telephone 01707 806100 or write via the address above.  You can also follow the Commissioner on Twitter @HertsPCC and find out more on his Facebook page: HertsPCC.