The funding that the OPCC gave Gloucestershire Young Carers makes a big difference, enabling them to offer activities for young carers like me. It can change people’s lives in the long run. I think it is really important for the police to understand where young people are coming from.   I recently presented to trainee PCSO’s to help them understand  It isn’t that they stereotype us – that they treat me the same as my family member with substance misuse issues – it is actually that they very often don’t take us into account at all. They can miss us out of the big picture. We are training PCSO’s, police officers and  other professionals to ask young people if we want to talk to them. Very often we do. We matter.  The trainee PCSO’s understood what we were saying. The funding given to GYC allows them to help us gain the confidence we need to share our stories. 

Leoni, 14 from Cheltenham

“Martin has established the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner as a credible force for good within the county. He’s successfully integrated local volunteers and communities into an overall strategy for preventing and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Roger Head OBE - High Sheriff of Gloucestershire - 2015-16

“Politics does not feature on Martin Surl’s agenda as Gloucestershire’s Police Commissioner.  What I like about him is that he believes that helping the community has a positive effect on breaking the cycle of crime. He has been brave in putting a proportion of his budget into communities to combat crime and it is working”.

Ian Mean - Director Business West

"In 2012 our young people & staff wanted to meet the PCC candidates, Martin Surl arrived and everyone warmed to his honest, open personality and his down to earth approach. Little did we know, a few years later, The Commissioners Fund was to save us from closure. That money has allowed us to continue and grow. Martin has visited our project many times and supports us with his time, knowledge and the excellent team he has built.He has helped us to care for innumerable vulnerable people in need of community care services. Thank you Martin."

Vanessa Worrall - Project manager of Redwell Centre.

In a world of diminishing budgets and increasingly complex  needs, Martin balances strategic & operational priorities with great skill. His political neutrality is a huge asset in enabling the full range of choices to be considered. Martin’s strong value base anchors his choices in his communities. Martin communicates to us all with intent and purpose. He visits, listens and acts accordingly. His plans are well written & widely published so we can all see where Martin is taking our services. When I look across the country and see other PCCs making amateur mistakes or being restricted by narrow political party lines, I am really grateful that this experienced, clever focussed individual chose to continue his lifetime of public service as Gloucestershire’s Police & Crime Commissioner. Thank you Martin.

Ruth Fitzjohn DL - Former Chair of the 2gether Trust