Gwent Police Authority and Gwent Police have a statutory obligation to consult the public on a number of issues, including Best Value, priorities for the policing plan, community safety under the Crime and Disorder Act and customer satisfaction.

Although we are required to consult the public on an ever-increasing basis, we do not consult merely because we have to.

Consulting, engaging and establishing a dialogue with our stakeholders (the public, businesses and our own staff) are essential if we are to meet their needs and expectations.

The service provided by Gwent Police is more effective and efficient if it is tackling the types of problems, which cause concern to the community. Those concerns need to be identified. Consultation with local people, whatever their cultural background, sexual orientation, age, gender or religious belief remains uppermost in the Authority's plans as a means of measuring satisfaction with the service provided.

Mr Viv Waters, Chairman of the Gwent Police Authority said 'public consultation meetings provide an opportunity for members of the community to meet informally with police authority members and chief officers of the force and comment on / express concerns about policing in the Gwent Police Force area. We want to hear their views - good or bad. If people don't tell us their views or concerns, we can't take them on board'.