Crime affects us all, whether we are a victim, or our loved ones are, or someone in our community is hit by burglary, violence or any number of different offences.

Last week that was brought into sharp focus with the tragic death of teacher Ann Maguire at Corpus Christi school in Leeds. I offer my condolences to the staff and students and give my thanks to the officers who were at the school last week, supporting them at this difficult time.

I visited the school and was humbled by the strength and courage shown by the teachers to keep the school open in the wake of the awful event, and I heard just how inspirational and valued Mrs Maguire was. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

My role as Police and Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire is to make sure we tackle crime and work with partners to tackle the causes and consequences of crime to ensure communities are safer and feel safer.

Working together in the face of unprecedented cuts, with the police budget cut by £152 million by 2016/17, the privatisation of probation services and the as yet unknown full impact of far-reaching welfare reforms, means we can better meet these challenges together, as no one organisation can do it alone.

We have demonstrated improved community partnership working with the recent introduction of ward-aligned Neighbourhood Policing Teams, where police officers work alongside community organisations, local authorities and voluntary groups, and improved services to the public in keeping communities safer.

A recruitment drive for more Special constables and volunteers in West Yorkshire Police will mean our volunteers are also actively involved in helping ensure our communities are safe, bringing a wealth of other experience and understanding of their communities to the role.

Against this backdrop, today I have released my refreshed Police and Crime Plan 2014-18, which outlines key priorities for the coming year on issues I know are important to you.

My plan shows how I intend to address issues such as burglary, domestic abuse, CSE, human trafficking, forced marriage and violent crime, but also with some additions such as the emerging and very real threat of cyber crime and issues of concern locally such as road safety.

The refreshed plan reflects the views and concerns of communities, gathered throughout the year. It has been informed by public perception surveys, the Listening To You First survey, partnership events and me coming into your communities and hearing about what is important to you.

Too many people in Bradford, and across West Yorkshire, are isolated and experience high levels of deprivation. Government welfare reforms introducing Universal Credit, the Bedroom Tax and benefit caps are likely to worsen the cycle of exclusion, and people increasingly resort to drastic measures such as using loan sharks.

There is potential for higher levels of crime and we need more resources to keep people safer and feeling safer and our communities stronger.

We are stronger working together than we are alone, no single organisation can address the complex needs of our communities, and by working closely with local partners we can tackle problems more effectively.

People tell me time and time again that they have concerns about litter on their street, traffic, parking problems, graffiti and noise.

This refreshed plan is about working together to make a real difference to people’s lives by tackling crime, but also the causes and consequences of crime.

As part of this plan I will be setting up a review to establish the impact that changes to the welfare system and housing reform are having on crime and community safety across West Yorkshire. I will be inviting social housing providers around the table to find out what I can do with partner agencies to help tenants affected by all sorts of crime that can make their lives a misery.

We do not have the option of working as we did in the past, as the changing landscape demands a different response to the significant challenges we all face.

Cyber Crime is the biggest growing type of crime affecting everyday life. It can include fraud, hacking bank accounts, or people ordering items and not paying for them.

It can also include cyber bullying and cyber stalking. With partners, including the police service, I will undertake a review to look at the scale and impact of cyber and cyber-enabled crime and to raise awareness, taking into account national and international protocols and guidance.

Road safety is also an issue that people tell me is a big problem. Every time we speak to members of the public, tenants, residents, and local community groups, they talk about parking outside schools, blocked access, people being knocked off their bikes, no room for wheelchairs on pavements, and we are constantly told that this is an issue.

It requires a partnership approach to deal with it at the local level. While tackling crime is important, we want to prevent crime from happening in the first place.

It is everyone’s responsibility to make our communities stronger and everyone has the right to expect the police, working with local partners, to forge those relationships.

I hope you take the time to read the plan and let me know about the issues in your area that are being tackled, or where you need more support.

You can contact me on (01924) 294000 or e-mail contact@westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk.