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Just seen two traffic police booking a BMW whose driver had decided to park opposite a building which is being refurbished. The builders compound takes out half of road and the said car was parked half on the pavement leaving a gap in the road wide enough for a motorbike and one on the pavement just wide enough for a pedestrian (me!)- no chance of the cops in their BMW 5 series getting past - result one ticket. The irony is 20 yards up the road there was ample on street parking, but of course that costs 20p for half an hour!!
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The police are re-deployed to non-motoring crime.>>
Don't you believe it, a contact in the force informs me that on occasions there has been three officers covering a whole town of 30,000 people, plus the surrounding rural area.
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Traffic police numbers were cut back at least two years ago - I've two mates who were removed from these duties and are now back on the beat doing local community policing.
In one way they are somewhat relieved as they miss out, for instance, on some horrific traffic accidents (they had to cover a vast area which included stretches of motorways).
Now, as far as I can ascertain, there are just three traffic cars to cover the same area and a call can mean a 15 mile or more dash to the scene of an accident for a crew.
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Although agreeing with pretty much all above, I would remind some that the use of cameras does not always refer to the speed variety and that a lot of motor related use is made of the CCTV cameras with mobile bobbies 'on the end' of them.
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A friend of mine is a Sargeant in the Met. He is convinced that all traffic 'policing' will be privatised in the very near future.
When asked would these persons have the right to stop vehicles the answer was 'yes'.
Also he believes that these persons will be on a low basic plus 'incentivised pay'.
Be very afraid...
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>> The police are re-deployed to non-motoring crime.>> Don't you believe it, a contact in the force informs me that on occasions there has been three officers covering a whole town of 30,000 people, plus the surrounding rural area.
BrianW,
There is no dispute that we have the highest ever number of police in our history.
We also have the highest number of support staff for the police.
The police, correctly IMO, are now not routinely tasked with duties that do not require a highly trained copper - parking offences etc.
If it is correct that there are less traffic police these days, where are the additional policemen deployed if it is not on non-motoring crime or crime prevention?
C
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"If it is correct that there are less traffic police these days, where are the additional policemen deployed if it is not on non-motoring crime or crime prevention?"
Good question. I certainly never see them.
Domestic disputes; drug control; public order; football matches/sporting events?
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They're all deployed to 'specialist squads' that are intended to meet the Governments performance indicators. The 'ordinary' uniformed copper (the one who should come to your house if you require) is becoming a dying breed. The city shifts are all probationers with an average of 12 months service. My Force numbers are actually falling.
Still, everythings fine, Blair says so!!
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You are correct in listing domestics first - my mate on the force reckons at least 75% of their daily grind is the largely wasted time trying to sort them out.
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>>There is no dispute that we have the highest ever number of police in our history.>>
You've omitted the fact that more officers than ever are leaving forces all around the country - completely disillusioned and fed up with all the red tape.
There's an old saying: "Lies, damn lies and statistics."
Clissic example today with the state schools seemingly superior to independents according to, you've guessed it, statistics.
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>>Clissic example today with the state schools seemingly superior to independents according to, you've guessed it, statistics.
ITs not Motoring, and I'm going to moderate myself in a minute, but this was on the news this morning;
"Surprise statistics seem to indicate that children may do better in independent schools than they do in secondary schools".
No s***, sherlock. Well, who knew ?
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"Surprise statistics seem to indicate that children may do better in independent schools than they do in secondary schools".
Did you hear the minister on the radio this morning? She admitted that there was a serious problem and promised that she would waste no time in looking for a new set of statistics to use in future.
Says a lot about HMG's approach to statistics...
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>>There is no dispute that we have the highest ever number of police in our history.>> You've omitted the fact that more officers than ever are leaving forces all around the country - completely disillusioned and fed up with all the red tape. There's an old saying: "Lies, damn lies and statistics."
Stuartli,
Well you are the only person who seems to dispute it!
The Police Federation and every political party acknowledge that there are more police now than at any time in our history - and of course those figures take into account those who are leaving!
Do an internet search if you are still not convinced.
Of course I accept that many police are disillusioned. The programme on BBC2 about binge drinking in Southend amply demonstrated why they should be.
Of course one reason why the police leave in droves is they have just about the most generous pension sceme in GB. Not that they shouldn't have this, after the hassle they have to put up with from some sections of the public.
But the fact remains - more police than ever!!
C
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There may well be more police now than at any time in our history. However, what is the ratio of police to the population today in comparison?
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There may well be more police now than at any time in our history. However, what is the ratio of police to the population today in comparison?
And how many new offences are they having to enforce: new legislation is pouring out of Westminster like a tsunami, it all needs resources to enforce/prosecute.
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more police than ever!!>>
Not noticed any noticeable difference in my area - just the same as for the past few years...:-)
Incidentally, I live in a town with an 80,000 population and which stretches about nine miles north to south and about three miles at its widest point.
Before the 1974 boundary changes, we used to have a 200 strong police force and its proud boast was a two minutes or less response to ANY emergency call in the borough; fire and ambulance services had similar high standards.
Today you are lucky if you get a response at all and contacting the force's main switchboard (based 20 miles away) brings a frustrating delay as an attempt is made to try and prioritise a call's urgency.
Asking for the local town centre police station (manned 24 hours) is a waste of time - you are more likely to be put through to a station many miles away, which is the duty station at that particular time.
I have at least a dozen friends who are either current or past serving officers at various levels up to inspector and their disillusionment is very plain in virtually every case.
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It's Merseyside Police who serve you is it Stuart?
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Adam
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I'll say it again (as an officer with 10 years service), there may be technically more Police (but not in my force), but they are not being deployed to front line roles. The numbers also include those that carry on after 30 years, but only serve on front counter duties. Response Officers in my area are getting fewer and fewer, as well as more inexperienced. By the way, we have a fleet of Vectra 3.2s, BMW 530d and Omegas. (Just to keep it motoring related!!)
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The government count stewards who walk around during the day in day-glo vests "Police", they call the huge numbers of officers on long-term and short-term sick leave "Police", they call the 'team' of officers in Halifax who have been watching DVDs of a political rival of New Labour for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, since July "Police" (5000+ man-hours)
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The government count stewards who walk around during the day in day-glo vests "Police", they call the huge numbers of officers on long-term and short-term sick leave "Police", they call the 'team' of officers in Halifax who have been watching DVDs of a political rival of New Labour for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, since July "Police" (5000+ man-hours)
Sorry they don't count stewards as police. We are talking about more trained police.
So how should they count police who on sick leave?
I am aware that many policemen think like MLC(with justification I would add) that they waste resources, and are less than effective, as their agenda is set by their political masters.
The Armed Forces feel much the same but it is entirely correct that the politicians should do so. The solution for the electorate to get them to change the agenda or change the politicians!
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A little while ago I had occasion to phone the police when a small-calibre bullet came through a window. They responded 24 hours later by sending an officer to the wrong address.
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Badger was previously registered as Stripey
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We used to have a police house in the village, which doubled up as a police station. In 1974 it was closed, and the house sold to a private buyer. We then had a community constable, but he disappeared about eight years ago. If we have one now I've not seen him. Indeed, I haven't seen a foot bobby around hear since then.
Earlier this year I came across a BMW which appeared to have been stolen and then dumped in a quiet lane without any houses. I reported it to the Police and it was still there the following day. Looked in the car and came across some papers so tried a few 'phone numbers. The owner was away from home on a course and wasn't aware it had been stolen. Still there the following day and I happened to see a police car driving through the village so flagged him down. No mention of the car on the computer system, apparently. The police driver turned his car around and went to the stolen vehicle. It had been removed the following day.
Is car crime no longer a priority?
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"Is car crime no longer a priority?"
Apparently not.
The theft of a couple of hundred quids worth of any other type of goods usually gets at least some response.
The theft of twenty or thirty thousand quids worth of car gets a crime number so you can lodge an insurance claim.
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The theft of a couple of hundred quids worth of any other type of goods usually gets at least some response.
Really? That would be news to my mother, who has been burgled.
Twice.
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I think it may be mainly down to this statistics and targets obsessed government. I bet car crime is down, due to much better security, and people being more aware of leaving items on display etc... so car theft declines, so the Police don't bother with it as the target is self-policing. Carjacking are probably not classed as car crime, probably robbery so, car damage, theft etc... is left unchecked.
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I think it may be mainly down to this statistics and targets obsessed government. I bet car crime is down, due to much better security, and people being more aware of leaving items on display etc... so car theft declines, so the Police don't bother with it as the target is self-policing. Carjacking are probably not classed as car crime, probably robbery so, car damage, theft etc... is left unchecked.
Schnizel,
I am not sure of the point you are trying to make.
The role of police includes crime prevention. They have been at the forefront in making manufacturers and public aware of the measures necessary to prevent car crime. So if it is becoming less of a problem - well done the police.
As for car damage - what can the police do if some scroat 'keys' a car?
C
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As for car damage - what can the police do if some scroat 'keys' a car?
Take notice of the crime reports instead of ignoring them? Look and see where and when it keeps happening? Use that information to go and get the little .... .
Of just give up and act all defeatist. Whatever.
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i actually support moving police resources in general away from policing motoring and towards serious crime and terrorism
however i also believe the police left on the roads should be much better utilised, if i find it so easy to find the same people doing hand brake turns every friday night it shouldnt be too hard for the coppers, standing at the side of the road doing people for minor speeding is a waste of time, tailgating on the motorway is probably one of the most dangerous things u can do - but ive never heard of a single prosecution, and the police should take on the state apparatus (council, planners, govt etc) where they are designing and building bad roads, traffic police should also prosecute foreigners driving dangerously not let them off as currently etc
also non traffic cops shud be taught to drive better, and take on some basic road policing role when they are out and about
as to coppers on the coal face, i agree the resources are bdly managed and the few good coppers asked to police some of our streets really need more support, too many bureacrats, too many young grads with no clue messing around at inspector level
etc
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On that point John, a few months ago, Devon and Cornwall police ran an operation to catch the local rally club racing up and down Union Street in Plymouth - a main promenade between two roundabouts.
Speeds of 80 to 90 MPH were recorded.
They have now put decent traffic calming measures along this road. I say decent because they are not a pain if you drive at 30.
Hugo
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reported lads racing motorbikes without helmet/plates/etc in busy streets today to the police
sat and watched them for hours
no police attendance
probably all out doing people for 35 in a 30
i know i know they are probably busy on things much more important, just doesnt give a very good impression to the public does it?
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Can't complain about the response yesterday.
Taking the dog for a walk in the morning I saw a Peugot 307 coupe parked with the key in the lock. It had been there for a few hours so I 'phoned the police on my mobile and gave them the details. They asked me to wait by the car and someone would be with me asap. About ten minutes or so later an unmarked Ford Focus arrived and I gave the key to the officer: it had been reported stolen.
Less than ten minutes later I saw it being taken away on the back of a recovery vehicle. From 'phoning the police to the car's removal had taken no more than twenty minutes.
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reported lads racing motorbikes without helmet/plates/etc in busy streets today to the police sat and watched them for hours no police attendance probably all out doing people for 35 in a 30 i know i know they are probably busy on things much more important, just doesnt give a very good impression to the public does it?
Did you phone the police?
Come to think of it, did anyone?
H
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yes i phoned them
and sat in a friends nearby and no coppers turned up
could have nabbed on of the little so and sos myself but would be more hassle than its worth
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