Courage in the face of adversity

That expression may bring back memories of 1940, and how we supported one another when under attack – such a situation pertains today, as we face increasing crime in our area.

On Monday, October 30, I attended a meeting of St Paul’s Residents’ Association – which covers a large local area – consisting of a group of dedicated and caring souls addressing the subject of local problems.

While it is wonderful to see such people ‘doing what they can’, sadly the one key element of such a meeting intended to establish Neighbourhood Watches on a localised basis, was that NO POLICE attended.

Thanks to Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey being present, manifesting interest and leadership, then at least the Council will be made aware of residents’ concerns.

Some years ago we had a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme of which I was the co-ordinator. That was followed by a Neighbourhood Action Group (around 2006). In both cases, we had considerable participation by the Police – it would be true to say that they were ‘drivers’ of progress and actions.

Had we been discussing forming groups of Vigilantes, the Police I am sure would have attended! Such bodies started in the lawless parts of the USA, where no law existed – an interesting definition of a Vigilance Committee, is ‘an unauthorised body which, in the absence or inefficiency of regular government, exercises powers of arrest, punishment etc.’

I’ve underlined exactly what we see in this country today, for which we cannot blame the police or the appalling laxity in the application of punishment.

The Home Office I believe is responsible for the situation – the PM will know (!!) – and they will blame the shortage of funds. If we stopped paying fortunes to University Chancellors and related senior staff, cut the rackets and numbers of so-called Lords as examples of making considerable savings, then perhaps we could be protected again by those originally tasked with that role in society. Reg Cli on, Wokingham