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A R C H I V E S                      page 3 of 9 2004 University police to guard campus A university is going to have its own full-time police community support officers. The University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol will have two officers, who will protect the campus and students. Surveys have shown that students face particular risks of becoming crime victims. The UWE security team will patrol the campus to "deter thefts and other criminal activity". Protecting students "The campus resembles a small town and seems to experience similar problems," said one of the new officers, PCSO John Hitchings. His colleague, PCSO Raymond Barlow, said that they hoped to be "seen as friendly faces around the campus, protecting the interests of staff and students". A spokesperson for the university says UWE does not have a particular problem with safety - but that the community support officers would provide visible reassurance for students. Archives    page 1,    page 2,    page 3,    page 4,    page 5     2005 PCSO-DRUGS SPECIALIST £19,626 PER ANNUM PLUS SHIFT ALLOWANCE BASED: STEVENAGE AND ST. ALBANS In our continued deployment of Police Community Support Officers in Hertfordshire we are seeking someone who can focus on intelligence, environmental and educational issues associated with drug use. Whilst providing high visibility as a uniformed patrol officer, you will focus on drug hot spots, identifying ways of making areas safe and non-conducive to future drug activity. This is an enforcement rather than social or community role, though equally important is the gathering of intelligence on drug activities for circulation to colleagues and agencies. In this vital community role, you will build relationships with young persons and their families, at the same time as working closely with other agencies and service providers to identify new and supporting existing drug related initiatives. You will currently be a resilient PCSO with at least six months' experience in the role, with some general knowledge of drugs within the community, and be committed to using your knowledge in an enforcement role. This hard yet rewarding role also requires excellent face-to-face communication skills and the ability to work alone in the field. This is a great opportunity to make a positive and valued contribution to the community and offers all the benefits of working for the Hertfordshire Constabulary. For an application pack, please contact our Recruitment Hotline on 01992 510505, Monday - Friday, 9am - 5.30pm, quoting reference PS/AR/862. Closing date for applications: 13th May 2005.               Assessments will be held week commencing 31st May.        H E R T F O R D S H I R E         C O N S T A B U L A R Y 2004 Police come under fire POLICE covering Epping and Theydon Bois faced a barrage of criticism at two meetings raising issues over law-enforcement in the area. A private meeting last Wednesday with Epping section's acting inspector Nikki Norris saw the town council raise concerns over the massive amount of vandalism at Stonards Hill and the lack of police presence there. This was followed by a meeting between residents and councillors from Epping and Theydon Bois on Friday, when Essex Police Authority chairman Robert Chambers answered complaints about the poor call-handling and lack of police response to certain issues. Epping town clerk Bob Whittome said taxpayers are footing the bill for vandalism at the Stonards Hill recreation ground to the tune of £20,000 each year. Mr Whittome said: "Everything that's done to Stonards Hill clearly costs the people of Epping a lot of money. We were told very forcefully by Acting Inspector Nikki Norris there would be no more bobbys-on-the-beat because of a lack of resources and it's not a priority area. "The community wants to see local policing rather than just responding to incidents, because these are the things that are really disrupting people's lives. It's no good telling the people of Epping they live in a low-crime area when they look out their window and see drug dealing, under-age drinking, broken glass everywhere; that's what most people see as crime." Mr Whittome admitted the only sure-fire way to eliminate such problems without increased policing, would be to close public spaces like Stonards Hill, with the inevitable loss of amenities to all. This is not a council consideration at present. Community police officer PC Clare Thomas said: "Various initiatives were discussed and the meeting as a whole was very productive." She said the problem would be further investigated to discover the best way to tackle anti-social behaviour. The second meeting was called by county councillor Janet Whitehouse after she received numerous complaints from residents who have had bad experiences when trying to contact the police, especially over non-emergency issues. Mr Chambers listened to numerous stories of residents being unable to get through to Epping, Harlow and Loughton police stations and residents getting no response from officers. Mrs Whitehouse said: "We've told him the problems, he listened and took on board what we had to say and we will be watching to see what happens." Mr Chambers said he would follow-up the concerns with the assistant chief constable and feedback to Mrs Whitehouse. He said his three priorities were to improve visible policing, including introducing more Community Support Officers; improve call-handling at police stations and tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively. 9:37am Sunday 26th September 2004 John Child ! LOG ONTO HIS SITE RIGHT HERE for more cartoons and to contact him view his thread!

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Daily Mail, December 10 2004, page 70
Jail is greatest deterrent

HAVING served 25 years in various penal establishments, finishing up as a prison governor, I've seen incomprehensible reasoning by magistrates and judges and the range of behaviour by inmates as a result - but recently things have become more bizarre.

There seems to be a strange belief in Government and judiciary that the large increases in the prison population can be rectified by shorter sentences, more remission and repeated non-custodial punishment.

The Home Secretary and judges have failed to appreciate the paradox understood by most prison staff that longer sentences mean fewer prisoners. Criminals do consider the result of their actions and the certainty of a substantial period in prison undoubtedly deters many who would otherwise offend.

The farce of community service should be discontinued. The tasks allotted are pointless and are frequently not carried out. Authority is well aware of the inadequacy of the scheme but finds it easier to comply than to expose failures.

Thousands of fines are unpaid; it's time the law got real. Anti-social behaviour should not result in an ASBO but a substantial period of imprisonment.

PETER ROBINS-POPE Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Growing up – and surviving to tell the tale
From: Michael Stephen Mycroft, Wilton, Pickering.      02 October 2004

According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who were kids in the '40s, '50s, '60s, or even maybe the early '70s, probably shouldn't have survived.

Our baby cribs were covered with bright-coloured lead-based paint. We had no childproof locks on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets... and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. As children, we would ride in cars with no seatbelts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat. We ate cakes, bread and butter, and drank cool drinks with sugar in them, but weren't overweight because we were always outside playing. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps, and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the street lights came on.

We did not have PlayStations, Nintendo 64, X-Boxes, video games, 99 channels on TV, video tape movies, surround sound, personal cell phones, personal computers, or internet chat rooms. We had friends – we went outside and found them. We made up games with sticks and tennis balls. We played football, and sometimes, the tackles would really hurt.

We fell out of trees, got cut and broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from these accidents. They were accidents. No-one was to blame but us. Remember accidents? We had fights and punched each other and got black and blue and learned to get over it. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rang the bell or just walked in and talked to them. Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected. The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

Support officers helping fight against crime
From: Nigel Swift, Media & PR manager, West Yorkshire Police.      02 October 2004

regarding the editorial comment ("Police needed, not words" September 30) that since the introduction of police community support officers "there has been no thorough appraisal of their effectiveness". I should point out that West Yorkshire Police last year commissioned an independent, detailed evaluation of PCSOs, the results of which were published in July this year. Leeds University carried out the work, which confirmed our view that PCSOs are a valuable resource, both in terms of providing public reassurance and in helping to reduce crime. Some 69 per cent of people surveyed in Leeds and Bradford perceived an increase in the number of officers patrolling the city centres, 82 per cent agreed that the presence of visible patrols made the city centre a more welcoming place to work, shop or visit, and 59 per cent agreed that they would feel less secure if PCSOs were removed from the city centre. In Bradford and Leeds city centres, vehicle crime and personal robbery decreased significantly following the deployment of PCSOs in April 2003. PCSOs are a welcome addition to the "policing family" and contribute to our continued success in reducing crime and making communities safer.

From: Stuart Sykes, Huntington Road, York.      02 October 2004

Some of the comments from Colin Cramphorn, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire (September 23) are quite interesting, yet simply untrue." In the space of 12 months, robbery and house burglary have been halved, car crime reduced by a third, total crime is down 25 per cent and our detection rate in these key crime areas – our public service agreement crimes – has doubled." A wonderful little story, if true. As a city-centre shopkeeper, I probably speak to more people "on the street" than the chief constable. The fact is that a high percentage of the public are full of reluctant apathy. None of the statistics of success is worth a sausage, simply because people like myself, who have suffered at the hands of the thieves and vandals, do not bother reporting the crime any more. What's the point? Thousands of people nationwide (probably millions) get a crime number usually; end of story. Not long ago, my wife was robbed of a few hundred pounds, I ran over to a group of bobbies less than 50 yards away. I explained the cash snatch to the nearest officer and his response: "Sorry, mate, we are on the football duty, phone it in."

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Village fury at shop gun incident
Oct 4 2004
By Stephen Hallmark

A shotgun robbery at a convenience store in Binley Woods has left residents outraged, and they are demanding that police protect their village.

About a dozen of the people shocked at Thursday night's shooting in front of Sunny's Convenience Store in Rugby Road, went along to voice their protest at the scene.

The newsagent, known to customers as "Vic" Virk, was shot after two armed raiders threatened him while he was shutting up shop.

Parish council chairman Paul Salisbury said there was a lack of police cover in Binley Woods, and demanded that action be taken by Warwickshire Police.

He said: "It's a terrible state of affairs. When the shooting happened there were four police cars and a helicopter, but when other crimes are committed, it gets forgotten."

Mr Salisbury said five officers run a rural team which is supposed to cover all the parishes around Binley Woods.

He added: "On one occasion one officer was on sick leave, one on maternity leave and one was confined to the desk.

"That means we had two policemen between all of us. That's 20 per cent of the team - they would-n't be happy if we paid them 20 per cent of the money."

The critics said Binley Woods was a soft target for criminals.

Rugby borough councillor Heather Timms, appalled that her ward had been hit by gunmen, said: "We have had enough. We must be given more protection by the police.

"Mr Virk does a splendid job at the store - we all depend upon it - and his is a lovely family. It's a terrible shame he has been injured like this. What has happened here is deeply shocking, but we have been expressing our concerns to police for some time and nothing has been done about it."

Colin Shepherd, 54, who runs a heating service and lives near the store, said: ."Whenever you need the police, they are never available. But they have enough men to man speed traps on Rugby Road and catch out speeding pensioners."

The fierce criticism of policing in Warwickshire came less than two weeks after the Evening Telegraph reported that residents of Long Lawford claimed they had never seen a police officer in their village. They are now considering employing their own officer after bosses at Rugby police station told its parish councillors that they could fund their own community support officer - at £23,000 - by paying for it themselves.

The offer comes weeks after frustrated residents in Ryton-on-Dunsmore voted to pay for private security guards to crack down on burglary and vandalism.

Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital would not comment on Mr Virk's condition on Saturday...SUPL:

Taking the fight to the yobs
Asbos are a year old, and are starting to work. But we must go much further in the battle against antisocial behaviour, writes Siobhain McDonagh MP
Thursday October 28, 2004
In July, on his daughter's wedding day, a constituent of mine offered the youngsters who had spent the summer speeding up and down his road on mopeds £50 to stop, so that his daughter could leave for her wedding in peace. Proud though he was, he felt he had no choice but to resort to bribing an intimidating group of kids, simply to get them to behave for just one day.

You don't read stories like this in the national media, but the truth is that this kind of antisocial behaviour does happen, unreported, every day.

I see people at my surgery every week whose lives have been traumatised by antisocial behaviour. Although crime has dropped by more than a quarter since 1997, an antisocial minority can disproportionately increase people's fear of crime. Real people, real traumas.

The woman in her 80s from St Helier ward who is in tears because she has been terrorised by gangs of kids shouting and swearing outside her front door; the woman from Sadlers Close who has been threatened because she had the temerity to report her neighbours' antisocial activities to the police; the man who told me: "Me and my neighbours are sick and tired of it all, scared to go out at night and of leaving the house unoccupied."

Antisocial behaviour is a countrywide phenomenon. It isn't just happening on rundown council estates. Mitcham and Morden is a nice suburban place to live, but even here people's lives are made miserable by the behaviour of a few - just as they are in every other constituency in the country.

Labour MPs know this, so why is the metropolitan media so out of touch? As an MP, I am resigned to the fact that there is a clever-clever brigade of cynics who think we are lazy or uncaring, mere lobby fodder. But hardworking MPs who pay attention to what is going on at the grassroots are achieving something remarkable. Even if you may not have noticed it because it is not in the papers, we are quietly but surely taking on the yobs.

Because we know what is happening in our communities, we were able to persuade the government to introduce the Antisocial Behaviour Act.

Even though our opponents seemed to care more for the supposed rights of the perpetrators than the feelings of the victims (yes, especially you, Lib Dems), we have won tough parliamentary battles that have led to a real change of approach.

Thanks to our efforts, antisocial behaviour orders are now a year old.

We now have the trialling of fixed penalty notices for juveniles committing antisocial behaviour, and the prospect of parenting orders and residential parenting classes.

We have police powers to disperse gangs of intimidating youngsters.

We have a ban on the sale of spray paints to under-16s, denying access to the aerosols that so many youngsters have used to tag walls and street furniture.

We have given some councils the power to remove graffiti from private property owned by the utilities so that, for example, cable boxes owned by firms like Telewest can't be left advertising the handiwork of our most prolific taggers.

We have the introduction of continuous registration of cars so that people cannot simply dump old and unwanted cars, or leave them on the streets for sale.

And we have powers for councils to check firms' waste removal contracts, so that unscrupulous businesses can no longer just dump their rubbish on the streets.

Labour MPs who work hard in their constituencies know that people hate graffiti, litter, fly-tipping and abandoned cars. We know that they want meaningful punishment for people who commit antisocial behaviour. It is good that we have introduced these measures.

But it remains frustrating that many of these powers are not yet in wide use, and that the authorities are still only learning about how they can make a difference.

That is why backbench Labour MPs want the fight to continue.

Ministers share our concerns. How could they not?

In June, I found out that Hazel Blears, the crime minister, had a spare 30 minutes later that week, and persuaded her to meet some residents from Lavender Fields in Mitcham about antisocial behaviour.

Lavender Fields may be the ward in my constituency with the lowest turnout at elections, but I phoned around, and even at a few hours notice, more than 50 people came.

I also persuaded David Blunkett to meet some of the people who had contacted me about antisocial behaviour at the House of Commons. Even though the biggest meeting room in Westminster only holds about 150 people, we ended up with 400 travelling up to tell him he must do more to help beat the yobs.

At meetings like these, people have been surprisingly reasonable. They know tackling antisocial behaviour is not easy, and they know we mean well. Although they may sometimes doubt that the police and local authorities will use the powers we have given them, they are pleased we are making a start.

But they want more, and the message from many Labour MPs to the government is simple. The effect of antisocial behaviour on hardworking families in our communities can be devastating. According to a Populus survey in September, 76% of Labour voters told pollsters that the best way to persuade more people to vote for us would be action against crime and antisocial behaviour.

As long as I am an MP, I intend to see that's what they get.

I have spoken to other backbench MPs and we want David Blunkett to concentrate on ensuring new powers are actually used. But many of us also want him to introduce new measures that would take the fight against anti-social behaviour to another level. This is my shortlist.

Extend "police reassurance" schemes
The government and mayor of London have already made many council wards "police reassurance" areas, with teams of police officers and community support officers patrolling local streets until 10pm.

But 10pm can sometimes be the start time, rather than the finish, of a lot of anti-social behaviour, and I want the hours of operation to be based on residents' needs rather than what police managers want.

A national alley-gater scheme
Some of the worst examples of fly-tipping and graffiti take place in alleyways behind houses. In Merton, pilot schemes to place gates across alley entrances have led to significant reductions in fly-tipping and also had an impact on burglary. They have proved popular with residents, who must all agree to them and put up some of the money themselves, with councils or voluntary groups paying the remainder.

However, ancient rights of way or ownership rules can throw up obstacles, and legislation may be needed to ensure that cheap and effective initiatives like alley-gating can be made easier.

Confiscation of Gopeds, Mopeds and Motorbikes being driven antisocially
This summer's number one issue in my constituency has been the gangs of young people who speed around our streets, parks and playing fields, uninsured, often without helmets or registration plates. They frighten pedestrians and other motorists, and are a danger not just to themselves but to smaller kids playing in the streets. But it has been the constant noise nuisance that has caused most complaints.

The police do have powers to confiscate these bikes, but only in very limited and painfully unusual circumstances. I want to make it much easier. I also want the shops that sell gopeds to ensure they are not sold to under-16s, who are not old enough to drive them anyway.

Make penalties more immediate and meaningful
When I was at school, I knew that if I did something wrong, I would be put in detention and might have to do some form of "community service". However, outside of school, there are no such sanctions. I want the principle of fixed penalty notices extended so that we can have fixed community service orders, so that, for instance, someone who is caught spray painting or dumping litter can be expected to take part in organised clean-ups in their area.

I don't want this to just apply to children. We need to assure law-abiding constituents that if they report something those responsible will be punished. We also need to give police community support officers the powers to hand out these small punishments.

Protection for people who report antisocial behaviour
At the moment, many people are afraid to report antisocial behaviour. In close-knit communities, neighbours may intimidate anyone who goes to the authorities.

I am pleased that this week David Blunkett has said that victims will be protected, but I want to make sure this protection is meaningful and that the fear of being bullied by anti-social neighbours is absolutely eradicated.

Siobhain McDonagh is Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden.

Daily Express Comment 9.9.04                    Daily Express cartoon printed 9.9.04 alongside the text below
Policing on the cheap is risking lives and safety

The creation of community support officers was a cynical ploy by the Government in answer to our justified demand for more bobbies on the beat.

In its attempt to placate us, the Government has put lives at risk.

CSOs are not police. They are uniformed civilians, who work alongside police but who do not have the same training, powers or equipment. Significantly they do not command as much salary. We have long spoken out against CSOs and now the Police Federation has echoed our concerns. How can these officers look after us in dangerous situations and how can they look after themselves?

It is also frightening that these cut-price constables have jurisdiction over us. Confrontation with the public is inevitable. We only invest our police with authority because we trust them. This government has demoralised and downgraded the police. Police stations have closed, officers have been strangled in red tape, there are even experiments to subcontract administrative work to post offices. Now we have two-tier policing.

What will it take for the government to see sense? The death of a CSO?

the commentary from the Daily Express coincided with publication of remarks made by the Police Federation at the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Mr Blunkett said:

"CSOs complement the work of police officers. They focus on low level crime and anti-social and nuisance behaviour, which all too often undermine public confidence and make people’s lives a misery. The recently introduced Anti-Social Behaviour Bill set out a radical agenda for tackling the scourge of crime that bedevils our streets. The 1,350 CSOs already in place have proved a vital resource in providing high visibility patrols and freeing up officers to tackle more serious crime.

The extra 1,200 to be recruited this year means we are on track to meet our target of 4,000 CSOs in 2005, to reinforce the work of the police, and work with communities to reduce crime and the fear of crime. We have received applications for funding from nearly every force in England and Wales, which shows the police service’s support for CSOs.

The Government has invested heavily in the police service to implement a radical police reform programme and deliver record police numbers. It is vital that we support police officers in the difficult and demanding job they do, by freeing up their time, slashing bureaucracy and developing specialist expertise to tackle the most serious crimes.

But the police cannot win the fight against crime and nuisance behaviour alone - extending the police family will strengthen links with communities to bring about real change in the way that we tackle local issues and engage the public in tackling crimes that affect them the most."

POLICE FEDERATION RESPONSE SENT VIA LETTER TO DAILY MAIL FOLLOWING ARTICLE ENTITLED "SO ARE THEY POLICE OR NOT?" FROM NOVEMBER 25, 2004

The possibility of the Home Office equipping Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) with batons and CS gas, as well as extending their powers to carry out stop and search, raises a fundamental question to which regular police officers and the public are entitled an answer.

It is this.
Why do regular officers undergo an 18-week initial training programme, followed by a 10-week, closely supervised, on-the-job course during which they learn their street duties, followed, in turn, by a two-year probationary period during which their raining continues... while PCSOs receive just three weeks instruction and that's it? This minimal training equips them to do nothing other than minimal patrolling duties - if that - and certainly does not give them the grounding needed to exercise their proposed new powers and to tackle possibly dangerous offenders. This training is, of course, less expensive than that of the Bobby. The Home Office is creating an illusion of policing but eventually the public will see through it and recognise it for what it is - policing on the cheap. It is interesting to compare the situation in this country with that of the Netherlands, which also operates an extended 'police family'. The most junior members of their family, who are called MTVs, wear a uniform but have absolutely no police powers at all - their job is merely to observe and gather information. Yet even they are given six weeks' training - twice as much as our PCSOs receive. In addition to MTVs, the Dutch police support their fully attested officers with what are called Operational Assistants. These officers do have batons and CS spray and they can stop and search. Their training programme lasts THREE YEARS.

If PCSOs are to be given the duties of warranted police officers, their training must be that of police officers. If their training is that of police officers, then why not simply replace them with police officers?

Posted: 1340 hours Friday 26 November 2004

January 24, 2004
Doubtful value of community police
From Mr Lawrence T. Roach

Sir, You welcome the Home Secretary’s drive to recruit more community support officers to be “embedded” in local communities (leading article, January 22). The assumption is that by their permanent presence those officers will be absorbed by and become part of their community and so contribute to a reduction in crime and disorder. But what if those communities are based on an inward-looking culture of lawlessness and violence, as some seem to be; or are racist; or, conceivably, are dedicated to, or become supportive of, some insurrectionist or terrorist cause?

Police officers need to be able to strike a careful balance between local involvement and impartial law enforcement. Where necessary they must interfere with, forcibly oppose and even arrest and prosecute leading members of their local community, as well as maintain good relations with them. That is a balance which only fully trained and empowered professional police officers can hope to achieve, as Robert Peel understood only too well when he swept away the corrupt and ineffective rabble of local constables and watchmen to found the professional police service in 1829.

Yours faithfully,
LAWRENCE T. ROACH
(Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, 1990-96),

________________________________________________________________________

January 22.
From Mr Frank Greaney

Sir, The introduction of community support officers may appear to be an attractive alternative to the bobby on the beat, but I suspect they will have little impact in reducing crime or, more importantly, reducing the fear of crime. Our inner cities, particularly at night, are frequented only by the foolhardy or brave, whilst residents on large housing estates venture out at their peril.

The police find themselves in an appalling dilemma. They are held to account for the shortcomings of a society where the misuse of drugs, poverty and social deprivation are endemic. Community support officers cannot tackle these issues.

Yours faithfully,
FRANK GREANEY

PCSOs, rangers and wardens
PRESS BRIEFING: 3.45PM THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER 2004
The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) briefed journalists on the Prime Minister's anti-social behaviour speech this afternoon. He pointed in particular to the announcement about giving more power to town and parish councils - which now covered something like a third of England - to build cleaner, safer neighbourhoods - specifically the power to issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for offences like dog-fouling, litter, graffiti and night-time noise. The FPNs would vary in amount, ranging from £30 to £100, depending on the offence. For example, a £50 penalty notice would be issued for dog fouling. The PMOS pointed out that town councillors would not be personally responsible for issuing FPNs. This would be the job of rangers and wardens whom town councils already employed.

David Blunkett had also announced today that civil courts would be able to order compulsory drug treatment with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). The purpose of this was to strengthen our drive to break the link between drugs and crime. Put to him that no member of the Lobby had ever seen a parish or town council ranger or warden and were not even aware that they existed, the Times correspondent took the opportunity to inform his colleagues that there were, in fact, wardens in Norfolk where he lived.

Responding to the resulting babble of excitement from journalists, the Times correspondent said that he didn't just go up to Norfolk at weekends to play golf, you know.

Questioned as to whether this new role for wardens and rangers was necessary in the light of the fact that the police and community support officers did the same job, the PMOS pointed out that just as there were different elements of anti-social behaviour, there were also different responses to it at different levels, depending on what the offence was.

For example, persistent drunken loutishness outside a pub would require one kind of response, while terrorising a neighbourhood would require another - just as dog-fouling or graffiti would necessitate yet another. It was important not to under-estimate the real difficulties that anti-social behaviour caused communities and the subsequent desire of local communities to take action. People should be very wary about dismissing these problems as minor complaints, because to some people they were not.

Put to him that the new responsibilities given to wardens and rangers increased the danger of introducing "army after army to nose into people's lives", the PMOS said that he would disagree. If someone was destroying a neighbourhood by spraying graffiti everywhere, for example, no one would consider it nosing into the offender's life to make sure they stopped doing it. Put to him that this was already the responsibility of police and community support officers, the PMOS said that this wasn't necessarily the case at a local level.

Asked if parish and town councils had been consulted about the new proposals, the PMOS said that there had been full consultation on these matters with the relevant parties, as you would expect. Asked who would fund the new measures, the PMOS said that these measures were about empowering parish councils to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour. In any event, parish and town councils already employed rangers and wardens to act on a local level.

Asked if rangers and wardens were being asked to take on additional responsibilities, such as issuing FPNs for dog-fouling, because police officers thought they were above such things, the PMOS said that anti-social behaviour, such as dog-fouling, was a real problem which destroyed neighbourhoods. However, we recognised that the police had other priorities. Therefore, it made more sense to give certain powers to wardens and rangers because they were better able to act at a local level.

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