New commissioner focuses on victims and survivors of crime on first full day
North Yorkshire’s newly appointed police, fire and crime commissioner has said her priority is to give a voice to those who struggle to be heard, having spent her first day on the job meeting with victims and survivors of crime.
Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe was declared the winner of the by-election last Friday (November 26). The ballot was triggered after former commissioner Philip Allott resigned following criticism of comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard.
Her first official meetings were with individuals and organisations from groups across North Yorkshire and York who support those who have lived through domestic abuse, been victims of sexual violence and experienced the tragic impact of drugs within their communities.
Ms Metcalfe said: “Part of my role is to give a voice to those who struggle to be heard – whether that is victims of crime, survivors of violence and abuse or communities who don’t feel safe.
“Meeting individuals who represent these groups and those organisations who support them, even before the chief constable and chief fire officer, was important for me and I hope sends a message that I am determined to restore trust in this role and always put victims and survivors of crime first. I look forward to meeting many more people from across North Yorkshire and York in the weeks ahead.
“The job of a PCC is to hold our police and fire services to account and that is what I will do, but I also know that everyone within North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service takes their role protecting people incredibly seriously.
“While I will always challenge when needed, I will also support them in their efforts and work to ensure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.”