Community engagement

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) undertakes a wide range of consultation to obtain the views of the people of Cleveland on policing, crime and community safety issues.

This ensures that priorities in the Police and Crime Plan reflect the concerns of local communities. Activities focus on:

Identifying victims’ needs to improve services
Identifying key community concerns to help focus partnership activity

Consultation and Engagement methods

A range of methods are used to help make sure as many people as possible have the chance to comment on our services. Methods include:

Community Conversations

From autumn 2023, the PCC started a new way to engage with the public face-ot-face.

Every month, he organises Community Conversations aimed at getting to the heart of residents’ concerns in that specific location.

Representation on local forums and meetings

A number of forums exist in Cleveland to discuss specific issues. These include the Tees Rural Crime Forum, which comprises members of the rural community and business owners, and the Strategic Independent Advisory Group, which gives diverse communities the chance to offer strategic advice and guidance to both the police and OPCC.

Online surveys

Online surveys take place to find out the public’s views on particular service areas. Recent examples have included surveys on Neighbourhood Policing, Taser use and serious violence.

Matt Storey at Sirenfest — THE BIG CONVERSATION…Cleveland PCC Matt Storey talks to an officer at an outdoor engagement event

Community safety roadshows

The OPCC and Police Crime Prevention host stalls at a number of community events. Staff at events can offer information on crime prevention and support services. In addition, they also distribute surveys to the and can conduct face-to-face consultation.

Focus groups

Focus groups take place with specific community groups or on specific issues, such as victim experience of the criminal justice system.

Youth Engagement

Young people are under-represented – particularly when it comes to sharing their views on crime, policing and community safety.

Find out about youth engagement

Consultation and Engagement Strategy

The 2021-24 Consultation & Engagement Strategy sets out the framework on how the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will undertake public consultation.

Consultation and Engagement Strategy 2021-2024 (application, 6MB)