Cambridgeshire Police Authority and Constabulary are asking the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough what they think police should focus their efforts on next year.

For the first time ever a 'People's Priority' will be included in next year's Policing Plan, meaning that local people will get to decide what they think should be a priority for policing in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Each year the Police Authority publishes a three-year rolling plan setting out what is expected of Cambridgeshire Constabulary in terms of tackling national and local priorities. It provides an overview of the resources available, how these will be used and specifies how Cambridgeshire Constabulary's performance will be monitored.

The Police Authority is asking people for their views on the 2009-2012 plan, which is available in libraries across Cambridgeshire and by clicking here, as well as asking them what should be included in next year's plan.

Ruth Rogers, Chair of Cambridgeshire Police Authority said: "We want to involve local people in the policing services they help to pay for by giving them a greater say in what they believe our efforts should be focused on. We already do this very well at neighbourhood level, with opportunities provided to people attending the various meetings that take place between the police, partners and local communities.  But it seems quite strange that while we have national priorities as directed by the Home Office and a local priority which is informed by the force's own knowledge and research, until now we haven't asked our residents on a county-wide scale to help us shape our plans and policies by telling us what is most important to them. This is their chance to have a real say on policing. We hope that as many people as possible take just a few minutes to give us their views."

To give feedback on the Policing Plan or register your views for the 'People's Priority' please click here to fill in the questionnaire or contact Cambridgeshire Police Authority for a copy of the survey by calling 0300 333 3456 or emailing police.authority@cambs.pnn.police.uk

The overall 'People's Priority' will be decided based solely on the consensus of public opinion and will be included in next year's Local Policing Plan. The deadline for responses is 23rd November 2009.