It’s important that you use your vote

It has been a privilege to serve as the chair of Warwickshire Police Authority for the past 17 months and as a member of the authority since 2003. It is our responsibility to ensure that all available policing resources are used as effectively as possible to protect communities from harm. That means tackling crimes that cause the most harm, and criminals who are most active, as well as working with local partners and communities to deal with local priorities.

Therefore it is with great pride that I say how extremely delighted I am at the excellent results the force has recently delivered. There are 7,600 fewer victims of crime now than there were in 2006 when we started collecting figures systematically.

Performance in these last six months is better than in the same period in 2010, before the force underwent the large reorganisation of 2011. This directly correlates to more people in our county being better protected from harm.

This in itself is an outstanding achievement and has only been reached through the hard work and dedication of our police force. The Chief Constable’s commendation ceremony on October 10 revealed many acts of courage, commitment and selflessness from our police officers, staff and volunteers over recent months. I have often said that I wish I could ‘bottle this event up’ and send it to every house and business in the county. It is truly inspirational.

The authority will be succeeded by a Police and Crime Commissioner, elected on November 15, and who assumes office on November 22. As you can see they will inherit a force which is strong and which continues to focus on delivering the best possible protection. I know that policing services will be even more efficiently and effectively delivered in alliance with West Mercia in the years ahead.

I hope your readers will help achieve this aspiration by voting in the election on November 15, because a healthy turnout will give the new regime the best possible start.

Thanks to all who have contributed to the work of the police authority over the last 17 years. - Phil Robson, Chair of Warwickshire Police Authority.