The man in charge of West Mercia Police took to the streets on foot patrol in Shropshire.Chief Constable Paul West met Community Support Officer Louise Fowler for a tour of Market Drayton yesterday, including the Grove School and the town council.
But first, Mr West discussed district policing issues with the Shropshire Star.
He said: “The main issues are anti-social behaviour, drunkenness and things like that, but if there are any more serious incidents it can have a much bigger impact on a smaller community.”
Mr West admitted there had been several incidents of arson, damage to property and murder in recent years,
“But said the force was doing everything it could to keep such incidents to a minimum. Every single murder has been detected in the last couple of years, and we pride ourselves on the quality of our investigations,” he said”
“Anything of a serious nature shocks the community, particularly in rural locations like a small market town, and people get concerned, but north Shropshire is still one of the safest places in the whole country without a doubt.”
Mr West said drivers should avoid drinking and driving over Christmas, - often more of a temptation in rural areas. Future plans involved further liaising with the community to promote positive relationships.
8 Comments
So when will Mr West be waliking the streets after dark and experiencing the fear many of us live with day in day out due to the lack lustre performance of his force! Let’s see you out on a Friday and Saturday night when the yobs are about Mr West - and whilst you are at it get the rest of your senior managers out on the streets too - better that than sitting drinking tea and talking “strategic partnership initiatives” and other such cobblers
It would be more impressive if he actually did a weeks night shift with actual police officers in Shrewsbury or Telford.
The fact that he went out and “hit the streets” with a civilian co worker, however well thought of or helpful their role is, is a bit of an insult to actual police officers.
Is it that this bit of visibility is a nice and cosy example of public relations but the real work of police officers at the sharp end doesnt have the same homely ring to it?
Is it politics or police work?
he does a difficult job and his work must be a constant challenge of presentation and diplomacy. might be nice if the men on the front line could experience him as a police officer and a person who they really felt could be behind them in the difficult tasks they face. Not just as the man in charge of all the rubber heels in the Big House.
Good on you, Mr West. But if you want to know what the sharp end is really like, why not go out with the shifts at pubs chucking out time on a Saturday night?
ahhhh a police officer just what we tax payers pay for, not cso powerless and pointless officers i want my moneys worth please or at least what we pay for which is police .
i note he is with a pcso he must be like us cant find a copper unless your a speeding motorist.
paul very witty,davis mcreggor spot on.
If you didn’t speed you wouldn’t see one, perhaps there’s a lesson to be learnt there Paul?
Chief Constables are not paid to go out on the streets, neither is a General in the Army paid to start slinging a rifle around on the parade ground. Patronising posing, the officers don’t respect him for it, they just feel embarrassed walking along with him. Proves absolutely nothing.