Posts Tagged ‘Police’
New Chief Constable for Merseyside
7th December
The new Chief Constable of Merseyside has today been named as Jon Murphy. He will succeed Bernard Hogan-Howe, who stepped down in October to join HM Inspectorate of Constabularies.
Crime reduction on Wirral
Talking Seacombe down for propaganda – the usual culprits rant again
Adrian is a Member of the Merseyside Police Authority. There is also a Conservative and a non-Party Member. The three work closely together.
Anti social behaviour, even non-violent, makes life miserable for those affected. So when we see the growing confidence that local people have to actually phone in and report incidents (including incidents that in the past they would just have put up with) the picture is not all gloom as some seem so keen to portray it.
Adrian has been criticised (but only by the usual predictable culprits) when he has applauded this increased confidence – unlike those who perhaps see political advantage in talking Seacombe down. When the increased confidence of our local people, to make a stand against misbehaviour by actually reporting it, is mis-represented in this cheap and vulgar way it speaks volumes about the propagandists who seek advantage in bad news.
Top performing Wirral police
Crime reduction is spear-headed by our top performing Police Force. The Force works within an overall crime reduction strategy embracing the Council, Fire Brigade, NHS and a host of other agencies who collaborate to make Wirral a safer place. The prospect of crime disappearing is perhaps a dream too far but it is good to see how far the reductions have taken place.
On Merseyside the Police are divided into a number of BCUs – ’Basic Command Units’ – each with a Chief Superintendent, known as an Area Commander, in overall control. To compare their efficiency BCUs are grouped into ‘families’ of similar units from across the country. Our Wirral BCU is in a family of 15 comparable BCUs. Its performance remains towards the very top with Wirral coming 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in almost all categories – our lowest being 4th out of 15 in only one case. A superb position to have achieved.
If we now compare the Wirral Police record over the past year (27th November 2008 to 27th November 2009) these are the results:
- All crime – down 8% (1032 fewer victims)
- Violent crime – down 9% (226 fewer victims)
- Assault with less serious injury – down 6% (63 fewer victims)
- Most serious violence – down 15% (21 fewer victims)
- Burglaries on dwellings – up 4% (25 more victims – see note below)
- Robbery – down 27% (28 fewer victims)
- Theft from motor vehicles – down 12% (87 fewer victims)
- Serious acquisitive crime – down 9% (170 fewer victims)
- Anti social behaviour – down 11% (1,196 fewer incidents)
In amongst all this good news it is unfortunate to see a small increase in burglaries. A high proportion of this is attributable to a single ‘prolific’burglar who was lately ‘back in circulation’ after being ‘away’ for some time. (Fortunately, being highly inept at his chosen crime, he always gets caught). Thankfully he is for the time being ‘back out of circulation’.
Much of this sort of burglary is made easy when doors or windows are accidentally left unlocked – the burglars often being opportunistic and taking their chances when they find them. (A very high proportion of burglaries occur close to where the burglars actually live!) But the effect on people who have their homes entered can be traumatic so home security is high on the Police priorities and ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ schemes, together with home security measures, are encouraged. On the good side this slight increase is based on a year’s comparison. Taken over a longer period the trend continues to downwards and the installation of so many alleygates has been a significant deterrent.
There’s never room for complacency – but this is a great tribute to our local police and all in the partnership.
Tory Council cuts
23.11.2009
All over the country Tory Councils are making severe cuts. Our ‘News Feeds’ links take you direct to news reports of what is happening, and this is constantly up-dated. But the question many are asking is ‘What might Tory cuts mean here in the Wirral?’
SURE START
Unless Wirral Tories publish their exact intentions, should they be able to form an administration, then it is reasonable to assume that they will behave similarly to some other Tory Councils. On present projections Tory cuts could mean almost one in five Sure Start centres closing. This could, in the Wirral, mean up to 4 Sure Start centres closing.
To find the names and locations of local Children’s Centres click on the link below:
www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/settings/fundedsettings/
POLICE
Tory cuts to the Home Office budget would be equivalent to 112 fewer police officers in Merseyside police force.
SCHOOLS
Tory cuts to Labour’s school building programme would put at risk 22 school rebuilding projects, affecting the entire secondary school rebuilding programme in the Wirral.
SMALL GRANTS
Small grants awarded to local groups could be almost wiped out. These are examples of the sort of local groups that have received funding from this budget this year. Voluntary groups can continue to apply for funding in future years. However, the Tories’ £100 million cuts this year would threaten the funding of these groups today.
- Civil Services Pensioners Alliance Wirral
- Hoylake Choral Society
- Goyararu Contemporary Arts Centre
- Sandbrook Community Centre
- Wirral Festival of Music, Speech & Drama
- Peninsula Canoe Club
- Beechwood Falcon Jfc
- New Ferry Regen Action Group
- Youth and Elderley Society
- Bidston Junior Badmington Club
- Wirral Sapphires Majorettes Troupe
- Wirral Disability Swimming Development Group
- Tranmere Action Group
- Birkenhead Phab Club
- 3E’s
- Wirral Pathfinders Self Help Support Group
- Independent Direct Payment Forum
- Families Need Fathers