Why can’t the police cope with the rise in street crime?
AS A retired police officer with 30 years’ service, I can identify why the police can’t cope (Mail). The decline started when it changed from a ‘force’ to a ‘service’ and was weighed down with social responsibility rather than being officers of the court. Then the police brought in far too many ranks that were desk jobs. When officers faced prosecution for poor decision-making, they stopped making decisions. But the worst change was giving up the streets. Police no longer walk the beat, which has been handed over to community support officers with no powers. The police stopped talking to people and became more interested in speeding drivers than detecting crime. Criminal gangs have taken over the streets, acting with impunity because there is no deterrent. Judges appear to be more interested in keeping criminals out of
prison rather than putting them in. The only way to solve the problem is to return to the old ways that made the public feel safe. J. HARRISON, Harrogate, N. Yorks. Will a member of the royal Family step forward and champion the police force in the same way Prince Harry admirably supports the military? rank and file officers hear nothing but criticism and face unfounded allegations from right-on groups. The result is that morale is at an all-time low. it’s time for the Conservatives, once the party of law and order, to support the police force. J. BARRY, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. THE police want us to solve crimes against ourselves. A young woman reported a stolen bike, but the police were not interested. The thief put it up for sale on eBay, so she ‘stole’ it back. But when she reported the name and address of the thief, the police said it was her word against his! So what should victims do next? Make a citizen’s arrest, drag the miscreant to the nearest lock-up, represent themselves as victim, witness, judge and jury before carrying out the sentence? The police are there to protect law-abiding citizens, not to turn them into vigilantes. MEL DAWSON, Banbury, oxon.