SAFEGUARDING the most vulnerable people across Bradford and the rest of the county will be a key message given by West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Mark Burns-Williamson as he unveils his new Police and Crime Plan today.

The plan sets the outcomes and priorities that will drive work within the partnership of the PCC and West Yorkshire Police over the next five years. The vision was shaped following the largest consultation the PCC office has ever carried out with the public, partners, and the police around policing priorities and community safety.

Mr Burns Williamson will outline the plan at a workshop aimed at reducing the numbers of missing people across the county, one of the new priorities to be included in the document. West Yorkshire Police receive nearly 5,000 calls regarding missing people every year, 20 per cent of which are considered to be “high-risk.” The focus of the workshop is on prevention and early intervention, key service improvements and how resources are deployed.

Other new additions to the plan include priorities on working together to prevent radicalisation and protecting people that are vulnerable to being groomed.

Increasing community cohesion by encouraging inclusivity and building relationships between communities is also a key feature. Many priorities from the previous plan remain, including a focus on tackling child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, road safety, and cyber crime.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “I have listened to the people of West Yorkshire and I am acting on what they have told me. Many of the new priorities focus on protecting vulnerable people and are a reflection of emerging crime trends, community feedback, the changing nature of policing, and the impact of budget cuts. The heart of the Plan is working together to make a better West Yorkshire for everyone. Each of us has a role to play in improving the lives of people and their families across all of our communities.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins added: “These are challenging times but I believe that with clear focus, we can continue to deliver a quality service for the public, particularly those who are most vulnerable or in need.”

MORE TOP STORIES