Police Report

Dominating our thoughts, as I write this report, is the horrific murder of 12 year old Diego Pineiro on Sunday 7th May at Seven Dials. That such a tragedy can occur on a sunny Sunday evening in full view of countless onlookers is almost unbelievable, and we are all indebted to the courage and initiative shown by two members of staff at the Sartaj Restaurant for their brave intervention.

Such an incident leaves many questions unanswered, such as how could it happen? How did it happen? And above all, if only the Police had been there. These questions and many others will hang in the air of this community for a long time. If any good can come out of such utter evil, it must be that our constant plea for more Police support and presence be heard by those who control the Police budget.

Whilst I congratulate the police, both at Charing Cross and Holborn (now relocated to Kings Cross for three years), for their hard work, courage and commitment, it is self-evident that it is becoming increasingly hard for them to work as effectively as they and we would wish, when they are so low in manpower and money.

Although they need our support, and I am sure that most of us give it willingly, it's hardly sufficient. With the intake at Hendon Police College down every term, we can deduce there will be fewer people coming into the force and therefore even less visible policing, which we perceive as vital. There is an argument that says you can be just as effective with police cars and calls from the public, etc, but surely, when most of the population perceive the bobby on the beat to be a sign of comfort and safety, to say nothing of prevention of crime, visible policing is what we should have.

As I understand it, if an arrest is made in the morning, that officer can be out of action on the streets for hours on end, processing the arrest and collating evidence, making the work even harder for other officers still out on the beat and making life even easier for the villains.

The cutbacks in police housing in London must contribute to the decrease in officers - would you commute at 4am if you had a choice? Surely it is not beyond the powers that be to provide a specific allowance and adequate housing, more civilians to help with the mountains of paperwork and more enforcement from both Camden and Westminster Councils.

The police we have are efficient and effective but they are too thin on the ground and it is not fair on those officers who are trying so hard to do their job. Without change we cannot expect to get the best and lack of visible policing enables villains to deal and steal and does not allow the community to feel safe and secure.

It seems tellingly ironic that traffic wardens work with handheld computers whilst our police still work with outdated and inadequate equipment. Let's get it right - support the force and address the facts - without them we would be facing anarchy every day. They do a great job and it is time for London to recognise that, and not to assume that police intake will magically increase, because at this rate it won't, and who can blame them?

Jo Weir

 

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