Merseyside's PCC updates on progress against priorities from her 3rd year in office

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has published her 3rd annual report which provides an update on the progress against her priorities from her past year in office.

The report provides an overview of Emily Spurrell's activities and work during the 2023/24 financial year, providing a snapshot of the work being undertaken to deliver on the priorities set out in her Police and Crime Plan.

It covers key achievements including:- crime falling overall by 14% during the year, as well as significant reductions in serious violence and gun and knife crime.

The report details the work of the Commissioner's Victim Care Merseyside service which has offered or provided support to more than 65,000 victims of crime during the year and covers her work to secure £5.9m of extra funding for vital crime prevention initiatives and to support victims and survivors across the Region.

The report also shines a spotlight on some of the key projects being undertaken during the past year to increase the safety of people and communities in Merseyside including:- the Clear, Hold, Build campaign EVOLVE which works to tackle and prevent serious violence, the Safer Streets Merseyside initiative working to prevent Violence against Women and Girls and the You're Safe Here scheme focused on creating safe spaces across the City.

Produced as an interactive PDF, the Annual Report includes:- infographics and case studies illustrating the Commissioner's work including:- how she engages with the communities of Merseyside, holds the Chief Constable to account, and delivers the Victim Care Merseyside service.

During the past year, the Commissioner and her team have met with more than 7,500 members of the public and 11,000 partners across Merseyside and attended 640 community meetings and events.

Emily Spurrell said:- "This report was produced as my third year in office and the end of 1st term as Police and Crime Commissioner came to a close. This extensive report reflects on that year and updates people across Merseyside on the work which I've been doing to build a stronger, safer Region. It shows that during the year we achieved a decrease in overall crime of 14% and reductions in serious violence, knife crime and gun discharges. Simultaneously, there's never been more of a focus on prevention. Getting upstream to support our young people, putting interventions in place that help the most vulnerable and divert young people from a life involving crime. Long term work that will reduce and prevent crime in the years ahead. I was pleased to able to secure more than £5.9m of extra funding during the year to invest directly into some of these key initiatives, preventing crime in hotspot areas and providing specialist support for vulnerable victims of crime, the results of which are already being seen and felt in communities on Merseyside. The progress so far is testament to the hard work and professionalism of Merseyside Police's officers and staff, my office, our Violence Reduction Partnership, Victim Care Merseyside and a myriad of community safety partners; all inspired and driven by the public of Merseyside. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported and worked alongside me. There's such a commitment across our Region to preventing crime, supporting the vulnerable and improving the safety of our communities. None of this work is easy or quick. It requires a long-term, sustained, determined approach. That's what I'm committed to and it's a commitment shared by the Chief Constable. There's still a long way to go. We know that. But these positive steps are really encouraging and show we are clearly moving in the right direction. We are absolutely focused on continuing the work to drive down serious violence and free our communities from the organised criminals who seek to cause harm, support victims and create stronger, more resilient communities."

Emily is required by law to produce an annual report. She has unveiled the final version today after presenting it to the Police and Crime Panel, the body which scrutinises her work.

Panel members, who had previously provided feedback on a draft version of the report, formally endorsed the document. The 85 page report, which also includes:- a snapshot of progress against each of the PCC's commitments, gives both the Panel and the public the chance to review and appraise her progress in delivering her police and crime priorities.  The full report is available to read on the PCC's website at:- MerseysidePCC.Info and feedback from the public is welcomed.

HOMEOWNERS and businesses affected by the riots earlier this month are being encouraged to seek compensation by the Region's Police and Crime Commissioner.

Emily Spurrell is encouraging all those who suffered losses or damage to their cars, homes, or shops to claim compensation from their insurance companies.

She is raising awareness that those caught in up the chaos who were not insured or who did not have adequate cover in place and whose insurance company won't pay out, may also be entitled to claim for their losses under the Riot Compensation Scheme.

This includes:- the owners of buildings which suffered structural damage and tenants or occupiers which had stock or assets damaged or stolen or vehicles damaged in Southport, Liverpool City Centre, and County Road.

Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "Having spent time in some of the areas affected by the shameful scenes of violence and disorder, it was quite clear to see the scale of damage to properties and vehicles. I want to ensure everyone affected by these appalling incidents can recover as quickly as possible and critical to that is accessing the financial support to which you are entitled. That's why I'm encouraging people to submit claims to their insurance companies as quickly as possible. For those who are uninsured or have been refused compensation by their insurance claim, I would invite them to submit a claim through my website to see if they are eligible through the Riot Compensation Scheme. This scheme is in place to make sure all those impacted by the riots get the support they need, and I would urge people to apply now so they do not miss out."

To qualify for compensation through this scheme, victims must be able to demonstrate that the damage or loss they have suffered was as a result of a riot.

To make a claim, you must report the crime to the Police, if you have not already. You should be given a crime reference number.

Those with insurance, must claim via their insurer 1st.

Claims must be sent within 43 days after the riot. If you make an insurance claim 1st, you have 43 days to make your RCS claim from the date the insurer tells you that you are not fully covered.

You will need to show evidence of the losses for which you are claiming, such as receipts, bank statements, surveyor's report and photographic evidence.

The Riot Compensation Scheme does not cover personal items, loss of trade or rent or personal injuries.