Police should keep crime-fighting role (From Echo)

Police should keep crime-fighting role

1:10pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

Jack Lawmon declared his amazement that anyone should suggest we give someone like a caretaker more protection to do a very difficult job and start to change the lives of those in high rise blocks, who are blighted by drugs and antisocial behaviour (Feb 1).

The very training he talks about is given to those who are accredited and helps them to deal with conflict and resolve issues without resorting to the use of force.

He uses words like “kindly”

to describe those who do this very difficult job, which I am sure they are. But because they are trained and accredited does not mean they have to change the way they deal with people.

I also suggested they are given support, such as town link radios, which will help them communicate with the police when that support is needed. I do not advocate in any way the police should give up their key role of fighting crime, responding to the public and making our communities safer.

In fact, the police need to do this and would welcome the opportunity to get back to basics and not be hamstrung by bureaucratic targets.

The police only do their job with the consent of the public and in partnership with many organisations, groups and agencies.

I am about doing something positive, coming up with ideas to respond now to the issues which have long been debated in the Echo.

Mick Thwaites
Picasso Way
Shoebury