In a TV debate last week, I almost fell off the chair when the Tory MP claimed hers was the party of law and order. Recorded crime has hit a 20 year high, with over 6.3 million crimes but a mere 5.6% resulting in prosecution. One of the more sickening statistics is that only 1.3%Continue reading Crime: Turn Back Time
The new Home Secretary’s been having a go at the police. She says she’ll make them attend the home of every victim of burglary. It sounds like a crowd pleaser on first hearing but, as a policeman friend of mine pointed out, even if they drop everything else, current resources suggest it would mean aboutContinue reading It’s a bit rich from Suella
The Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak – Steve McCabe MP – critiqued the Government’s forthcoming legislative agenda for failing to address the key issues affecting the West Midlands. Speaking in last Monday’s Queen’s Speech debate in the House of Commons, the Birmingham MP highlighted the absence of a number of key topics from the programme including the lack of a plan toContinue reading Birmingham MP brands Queen’s Speech a ‘Missed Opportunity’
The Queen’s Speech sets out government plans for the next 12 months. My constituents tell me the issues of greatest concern are: cost of living; energy prices; childcare costs; elderly care; lack of neighbourhood police; education. There’s no action on childcare costs despite its impact on employment and family budgets and no plan for energyContinue reading Vital issues are ignored
There’s a fine line between oversight, in a democracy, and interference in operational police decisions, especially if it benefits the interests of those in power. I was surprised to hear cabinet minister Kwasi Kwarteng dismiss fraud as not being real crime. He was speaking after the UK Statistics Authority criticised the Prime Minister for claimingContinue reading It was wrong to overlook fraud
This week Parliament discussed neighbourhood policing. It took me back to my old boss Charles Clarke who, as Home Secretary in 2005, wanted to increase police numbers and lower costs by reshaping and reducing the overall number of forces. He’d received a report from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary arguing that the existing structure wasn’tContinue reading 2-tier police force could patrol our streets and fight organised crime
There are many questions and some quite astonishing proposals following the life sentence given to the evil murderer of Sarah Everard. The Met Police said any woman who feels threatened should try to flag down a bus. There were the unbelievable remarks, of the Tory Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, that women needContinue reading Wrong to shift responsibility on to victims
I recently received an email from an irate constituent. His car, parked outside his home, was damaged in an attempted theft. Fortunately, a neighbour witnessed the incident and managed to note the registration of the getaway vehicle. Three days later, the police hadn’t given any indication they intended to pursue the matter. They hadn’t evenContinue reading Police must hear priorities of the public
As New Year progresses, the struggle continues with much focus now on the vaccine roll out, but there’s also growing concern about the enforcement of lockdown arrangements. Two women were fined by Derbyshire Police, later rescinded, after a story appeared about them driving five miles to walk around a reservoir while carrying hot drinks. ThereContinue reading Officers at receiving end of trying to police lockdown
