To mark his anniversary, Matt has been reflecting on the achievements of the last 12 months including the publication of his Police and Crime Plan, the launch of a 10-year Tackling Domestic Abuse Perpetration Strategy and reductions in the levels of violent crime, stalking and burglary across Cleveland.

Since being elected, the PCC has also taken on a national role as joint lead for local policing at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and recently welcomed the news that Cleveland will receive almost two and a half million pounds from the government’s Neighbourhood policing Guarantee.

Matt said: “It’s been a fantastic first year and I have relished every moment of meeting our communities to find out what matters to them and how I can make their lives better and safer.

“The foundations of my Police and Crime Plan have been wholly based on these public priorities and I am happy to say we are making steady progress against my promises, particularly around delivering more visible and effective policing.

“We are going to soon have over 60 additional officers, staff and volunteers on the ground, and I know their presence will be keenly felt by our neighbourhoods.

“There are of course many challenges still to face and I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable to deliver on my plan to get tough on crime and build safe, strong and confident communities in Cleveland.”

Matt will continue to deliver on his six Police and Crime Plan priorities, to:

• Reduce crime, antisocial behaviour and harm
• Deliver more visible and effective policing
• Improve safety for women and girls
• Ensure the right support for victims and vulnerable people
• Build trust and confidence in policing and the justice system
• Tackle offending and re-offending

Cleveland Police and Crime Delivery Plan

And for the first time ever, Matt’s office has published a detailed Delivery Plan that sits behind his Police and Crime Plan – providing transparency to the public about what is being worked on over the next 12 months.

Each quarter, progress of the Delivery Plan will be reported back to the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel and will be available to read online. The first update on the Delivery Plan will be published during the summer.

In the year ahead, Matt will appoint a new Chief Constable to lead Cleveland Police and establish a new public scrutiny plan in a bid to enhance the voice of the public in holding the force to account.

His new community engagement programme, Shape Your Safety, will also give a greater voice to communities – with a pledge to visit every area of Cleveland to listen to residents at least once a year.

And later this month, Matt and his office will launch a Cleveland Knife Crime Action Plan – to bring organisations together to reduce the harm and devastation caused by knife crime through education, early intervention, enforcement and positive opportunities for young people.