I will continue to engage with the local authorities and their successor unitary authorities, as well as health and education service partners to ensure that we think about the individuals we serve, rather than focus on the silos of our own organisations. The majority of crime issues cannot be solved in isolation by one agency, the causes of crime are broad and reflect wider societal issues. It is therefore only by seeking to work with and influence partners that the greatest benefits can be made.

The five East Midlands forces (Derbyshire, Leicestershire Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire) have collaborated on a wide range of activities, both formally and informally. These collaborations have greatly enhanced specialist capabilities and resilience within the region as well as delivering significant savings to participating forces. Senior government officials have often cited the East Midlands’ approach to collaboration as best practice, challenging other areas to learn from our regional experience. As the collaborative approach has matured we have been able to develop a mix of collaborative activity that sees two, three, four or all five forces taking part.

Driving the collaboration agenda are five guiding principles:

• That local policing remains local
• That any collaboration helps deliver a more efficient and/or effective policing service for Northamptonshire
• That all areas of business are considered
• That decisions not to participate in a particular collaboration are reviewed regularly, as circumstances may change
• That any costs and/or benefits are shared between participating forces

The five regional Commissioners and Chief Constables will continue to meet regularly to discuss regional collaboration, reviewing existing collaborative work and understanding the business cases for future collaboration.

Criminality does not stop at the borders of Northamptonshire. It is important that we support national agendas and inform and influence national debates on the future of policing and criminal justice.

There are an agreed number of activities that HM Government expect and require all Police Forces nationally to deliver in order to keep their local communities safe. These include activities in relation to matters such as Counter Terrorism, Civil Contingencies, Firearms and Public Order. These form part of the Strategic Policing Requirement.

These are assessed as a part of a regular regime from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. I have a statutory duty to have regard to this and I will continue to ensure that Northamptonshire can contribute to the national agenda with appropriate levels of resourcing whenever required.

I believe a key part of my role is to highlight the good work that is ongoing in Northamptonshire at a national level, both to develop our national lead on various aspects, but also to lobby the Government for changes and funding that will make a difference to how safe Northamptonshire is. I will engage with the Government and in particular the Home Office and Ministry of Justice to put the Northamptonshire case for change forward at every opportunity.

I sit on the boards of the College of Policing, the National Enabling Programme (NEP) and the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme. (ESMCP). These roles, alongside the work I do with fellow PCCs through the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), enables me to put forward the case for change nationally that will benefit communities in our county.

I have previously lobbied for a fairer funding deal for Northamptonshire, greater flexibility in policing budgets and for greater local involvement in the wider criminal justice system. I will continue to seek opportunities for Northamptonshire to be at the forefront of national developments for the benefit of people in our communities.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspect police forces on a range of subjects and their judgements of Northamptonshire Police will help me to be informed on the efficiency, effectiveness and leadership that the Force has in place. I will continue to work constructively with HMICFRS to ensure that residents in Northamptonshire get the very best police service.