ARE BAD DAYS COMING BACK?
I ATTENDED a local meeting recently with councillors and our local police sergeant for Bacup and Stacksteads, a concern was raised regarding an incident in Bacup town centre.
Two people were spotted sat on a bench in full view preparing and taking drugs with a spoon and lighter.
An onlooker contacted the police and nobody showed up.
The sergeant was quite open and explained that there would have been at more urgent calls, so were unavailable.
When pressed he explained that Bacup was one officer short and three PCSOs short and were likely to be for several months.
It also transpires that the PCSOs are used as full PCs when needed.
Given that the force has undergone massive reductions in the last five years I can’t help wondering if we are now dangerously short of trained and experienced police officers and this incident will now become the norm and Bacup will slowly revert back to the bad days when anti-social behaviour, drinking in the town centre and dealing drugs openly was the norm.
When there is no apparent deterrent criminal behaviour will flourish.
In fairness I would like to point out the police have apprehended three burglars who were causing mayhem.
Most of this behaviour was disappearing from the town.
Even the estates were getting better, volunteer groups are having a massive difference in the town.
But how soon before their work is at risk from undesirable behaviour in the town.
The irony of all this is Bacup town centre is on the up.
We now have all the shops on St James Street full, we have coffee bars, cafes and variety of international foods.
RBC have plans to revitalise the shops that want to join in this revival, these shops and particularly the ones that have taken the chance already want and need strong support from the police to ensure our town is safe for our children and our elderly to walk around.
One of the councillors at the meeting is the RBC representative on the police crime commission I can only hope they take this incident as serious as the public and ask some searching questions. Alan Boon Pennine Road, Bacup