To help shape the policing priorities for the next financial year (starting in April 2021), South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dr Alan Billings is seeking views from local residents and businesses on policing and crime services in their area.

Residents across South Yorkshire are invited to take part in a Priorities Survey, which closes on 6 November.

The survey is asking people about their priorities, what it is like living in their community from a policing and crime perspective and where they feel spending priorities should be focused.

The online survey should take just a few minutes to complete and will help the PCC, South Yorkshire Police and their partners to better understand the crime and antisocial behaviour issues that are affecting different communities. It will also help to direct money into providing support services for those affected by crime.

Dr Billings said: “Under normal circumstances I would be out and about in communities with members of my office speaking with residents and hearing about the issues that affect them. This year, with Covid-19 these opportunities have been limited, so I am launching this survey to give the public a chance to provide their views so that I can understand their priorities and ensure they are at the heart of the decisions I make.”

The Priorities Survey will help to shape the setting of the policing budget for South Yorkshire next year.

Following the Government allocation of funding to police forces later this year, the PCC must then set the level of council tax precept that goes towards policing. This is the part of the Council Tax that contributes towards the total funding available to the Police and Crime Commissioner to provide policing, community safety and victims’ services. This, along with other government grants provides the police budget for services for the year ahead.

Further consultation on the specific amount of precept that residents will be asked to pay will take place during December and January, once the Government allocation is known.

The survey can be accessed here:  Policing Priorities Survey 2020