Police boss being ‘crafty and devious’

JOHN PARKINSON, Kingsway, Mapplewell

No doubt those considering a career as a burglar will be grateful to Mr Billings, the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner for his advice given in last week’s Chronicle.

“Avoid CCTV by wearing a balaclava or pull down the peak of their baseball cap. If they come in a vehicle, use false number plates...”

I am sure his advice to detectives ‘to get smarter’ is very much welcomed and appreciated by all those on front line policing.

I find his comparison of police funding with that for ambulance drivers, nurses, hospital consultants to be a crafty and devious attempt to gender support for what will no doubt be the maximum precept charge he will be asking for in next year’s council tax.

I am sure those responsible for NHS budgets in

South Yorkshire will be envious of the cash held in Mr Billings’ general reserve fund which, I understand, is to support future strategies and unforeseen expenditure.

Police budget papers show the 2017/18 general reserve retention was £12.5m; the 2018/19 retention was £17.9m and 2019/20 retention was £24.7m

Hopefully, clarification can be given as to the current retention figure and if Mr Billings will consider making some of this cash available to enable his detectives to ‘get smarter’.