Dear Sir,
I was appalled to read the Northern Echo’s headline and reporting on anti-social behaviour in our town. While I believe that our local police are doing their best, along with other agencies, to address this problem, it would appear that our Chief Constable is more intent on fighting the culture wars on behalf of a very outspoken and divisive, tiny, minority.
I refer to the Article (recruitment drive) published in the Newton News of 14th January 2022 where the Chief Constable appears to want to concentrate on the ‘diversity’ of the recruits rather than their ability to police our town. The introduction of political Police Crimes and Victims Commissioners has ‘politicised’ the top tiers of our Police force.
It goes without saying that our Police Force should not discriminate during recruitment or service. It also goes without saying that the police should not discriminate against the public. This always has been the case (even before a pressure group was paid to re-write Employment Procedures). However, positive discrimination in favour of any minority, is discrimination, and is illegal.
It is time for our Chief Constable and Commissioner to concentrate on front-line policing. If the ASBOs are not working (eg: they appear to ban thugs from the town centre only for them to continue to terrorise townies elsewhere on the town) then it is for the Commissioner and the Chief Constable to raise these matters with the Government. It would be interesting if our Commissioner and Chief Constable would comment in the Newton News on how they intend ‘cleaning up’ our town and what assistance/resources they require to do so timeously and effectively.
Alastair P.G. Welsh