Pensioner Speed Cops

First it was baby Community Support Officers in the Thames Valley area, now we have old age pensioners working as traffic cops! What is policing in the UK really coming to? Apparently a pair of pensioners have been recruited by North Wales Police to clock speeding drivers. The idea, was another 'brain child' of North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom, who is renowned for his controversial methods. He has a Chief's Blog which has also been complained about and reported on by the BBC in video.

• Brunstrom's campaign over drugs
• Brunstrom: Road to controversy
• Brunstrom: Google News
• Government’s ‘no comment’ on 3,500 strong ‘sack Brunstrom’ petition
• Beat officers issued with pedometers by their Chief
• Brunstrom demands anti-racism pledge
• Brunstrom told to 'get a grip'
• Police chief denies speed 'obsession'

Who knows, perhaps there will be no requirement for police officers in the brave new world of 'police reform'? After all, with youth unemployment and an aging population, the job could be done by illiterate juvenile delinquents and infirm partially sighted octogenarians... There's a money saving for the nation!

Many arrests in North Yorkshire crime blitz!

York Press Headline: 4,000 people have been arrested in North Yorkshire as part of a regional crime crackdown. They went on to say; "Police in the county also handed out 3,500 fixed penalty notices and carried out 147 warrants during Operation Impact, which finished on Sunday. The operation was today hailed a success by North Yorkshire Police as it was revealed that crime figures dropped by ten per cent in August and 12 per cent in September. The results have been attributed mainly to Operation Impact and the road policing initiative Operation Helical." Sounds Good? Yes it does however, this is really another dose of spin... You know, the skill that politicians utilise fully, well even the police are developing it as a useful tool now.

What we fail to tell Mrs Miggins, who has waited to see a police officer for days is, 'Special Operations' make a big whole in the ability of cops to deal with the normal day to day stuff. Well I suppose theft of her lawnmower, hardly makes for 'sexy' headlines does it? Ask any of the highly paid 'Media Managers' that are employed by police forces across the land these days!

Traffic Resources increasing?

I picked up the latest copy of Police Review in the office today and found that thankfully, I'm not alone in my recent Road Policing thoughts. Derek Barnett of the Superintendents Association is quoted as saying; "we are beginning to see a return of resources to specialist roads policing duties". The article reports that the service has 'ignored' the public's concerns about speeding motorists and anti-social driving for too long and, I like many would agree. It would appear that senior officers are now in tune with the consensus...

In the words of the TV advert... That makes a refreshing change!

Northern Echo: POLICE have spoken of their dismay at a weekend of crashes which left two motorcyclists dead and four seriously injured. The Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Adam Briggs is quoted as saying; the force would be continuing with its hard-line road safety campaign in the wake of the crashes.

Alf Says: I hope that the comments of the DCC are not short lived and we do see a return to a proper Road Policing functionality within the force. Not just a one off operation to pacify public opinion. See full report on BBC North Yorkshire

Smile your on Candid Camera?

I noticed today in the Auto Express that some 160,000 British motorists have nine penalty points on their driving licences! Can't help thinking this is due to the proliferation of speed cameras across the Country and not down to 'Officious Traffic Officers' as some of the motoring media would have us believe. You can travel for mile upon mile these days and never even see a patrol car, let alone get pulled to be 'advised' about your driving. The resources once devoted to Road Policing have sadly declined somewhat in many forces and, I understand that some don't even have Traffic Departments any more. Why is this?

As usual the simple answer is probably money! A fully qualified Motor Patrol Officer, properly equipped is a substantial financial investment. Many Senior Officers would argue this is money that is better spent chasing government targets and, not many of these 'targets' are traffic related (contrary to popular belief). Yes, there is a Home Office Strategy for Road Policing and the document raves on about the virtues of ANPR, Gatso cameras etc. However, you have to read over half way through it to find, 'technology cannot wholly replace the police'. Unfortunately it appears to have done just that in a lot of respects, even the roads have their equivalent of the PCSO and 'cheap' policing in the form of the HATO! No prize for guessing where the government priorities are here then!

In the North Riding we have over 8,000 km of roads and some of the highest figures for Fatal & Serious road accidents in the country. Yes, there are many reasons for road collisions but I would hazard an educated guess that, a lack of traffic officers influencing driver behaviour may well be a contributing factor? It is strange that our road policing resources appear to have dwindled considerably over the years? So yes, the Home Office is right 'technology can't replace cops'. You should think about that next time you smile as you're captured on Gatso Camera, at least with the traditional 'jam sandwich' method there was often the opportunity for some advice or discretion and leeway! Click HERE for a selection of speeding excuses the police have heard once too often or try the Casualty Reduction Game with PC Bridge... Courtesy of Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

ACPO are busy officers!

When we moan about senior officers who can't make a decision, perhaps we should take into consideration how busy they are actually making those decisions? You can almost hear them muttering to themselves like the little Eskimo on that banking advert... Questions, Questions? So many Questions!

I heard a story on the canteen grapevine the other day which is apparently gospel (or the majority of it is) and it goes something like this:-

• Traffic Sgt (Respectful but enquiring tone): Sir, you authorised this planning
  and policy document for the major public event, did you actually read it?
• ACPO Officer (Sarcastic): Obviously... How else would I know what I was signing?
• Traffic Sgt (Confused): The Appendix covering resources for the event clearly makes mention of using the motorcycle section for traffic control etc?
• ACPO Officer (Dismayed): Yes, obviously, we always use motorcycles this type of event, how else would we be able to manage such a large public attendance and all the associated traffic?
• Traffic Sgt (Confused): But Sir, we don't have any motorcycles now?
• ACPO Officer (Confused): What? When did that happen? Who authorised it?
• Traffic Sgt (Smug): You did!
• ACPO Officer (Shocked): What? How the hell did that happen? I don't remember that? I certainly can't have signed that off. (Less worried) There's no way I'd have signed after reading the supporting documentation?
• Traffic Sgt (Elated): You did and... You obviously didn't!!! Must press on Sir, I've got that report to do for you about the 2 extra free leave days per year courtesy of the force. You know the one you asked for as a method of rewarding the troops for the hard work they do?
• ACPO Officer (Head in hands): Did I? (Deathly pause) Sgt. Come back! Sgt? Wait a minute... Sgt???

Eastern European Drivers

Immigrants from eastern Europe are responsible for 14 per cent of fatal crashes on rural roads, research shows. The figures have been released by North Yorkshire council after officials became increasingly concerned with anecdotal evidence suggesting immigrants were putting lives in danger. www.telegraph.co.uk

Another factor that impacts heavily on limited resources in a rural area. A mass influx of Eastern Europeans, many of which speak little or no English and, take little or no regard to British Road Traffic laws, is a byproduct of our governments immigration and asylum protocol. Yes we are a humanitarian Nation and offer protection to those who are wronged, or in danger within their own countries and I would always help those in need. However, unlike many other European countries, it would appear that the UK is happy to act as the refuse bin for all the human rubbish no one else is prepared to accept?

Drivers caught in road safety blitz

North Yorkshire Police road safety campaign - Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs said of Operation Hellcal: "We have started as we mean to go on - North Yorkshire's officers are using a tough enforcement policy to drive down a totally unacceptable accident rate."

Mr Briggs appears to be a good bloke, what bobbies would call a Coppers Copper and, it's likely he will be a breath of fresh air to the force after his recent appointment by all accounts. However, since the government enforced split of resources into separate functionality i.e. Response Officers and Neighbourhood Teams, NYP (like other forces) is painfully thin on the ground for operational 24/7 response policing. Our Thin Blue Line is definitely thinner on a day to day operational basis than it was over 20 years ago, despite the increases in establishment.

Now I'm all for modernisation and smarter working, especially when you consider the faster pace of life and the increasing technicality of crime but we are failing our customers! Yes, people are worried about crimes of violence and burglary etc. and, traveling criminals tend to have a field day with rural force areas who have limited resources. Chances of them getting their collar felt is often slim. Unless that is special targeted operations are implemented but these are only temporary. They have a knock on effect upon the availability of resources to respond to the day to day mundane stuff.

As a consequence Mrs Miggins who has been terrorised by local youths for the last week, has to wait several days (or more) after her report before anyone is available to see her and try to bottom the problem. Where is the quality of service there?

Despite the report 24/7 Response Policing in the Modern Police Organisation – Views from the Frontline commissioned by the Police Federation and a fair bit of media coverage things are not improving.

Come on Chief Constable's, time to stand up to the politicians... Let's make them understand the One Size Fits All Neighborhood Policing initiatives have done more harm than good!