Public must play part in helping police

HAVING read the letter from Mr Ellis (Yorkshire Post, February 16), I feel that as Divisional Commander for Kirklees, which covers the area where Mr Ellis lives, I should respond to some of the points made.

It is a fact that crime in West Yorkshire is falling and confidence in the police has gone up. In the Dalton ward, over the last three months, we have reduced crime by more than 20 per cent.

Having a visible presence on our streets helps to increase confidence and while we cannot be everywhere, one of our top priorities is getting officers out of police stations and into communities.

Generally, they work in the same area to get to know local people, to provide reassurance and reduce the opportunities for crime. Much of their work is directed by the public through monthly meetings which anyone can attend to tell us what the problems are.

Many complaints are about young people, some of whom do cause real problems in communities. Where concerns are raised, we will try to resolve them, but do need the support of local people as well as partner agencies. Most young people live in the area where they cause the problems, and most do not even realise that what they do can create fear in others.

Quite often, speeding drivers or illegal parking are raised at the local meetings so we have a responsibility to do something about it. Speed kills, using a mobile phone distracts drivers and where cars are parked badly, often around shops and schools, an accident is more likely to happen. This is not income generation and in my 23 years service we have never been motivated by raising money, it is about stopping people getting hurt or killed.

However, people are also worried about crimes such as drug dealing, burglary and car crime so I make no apology for addressing these important issues as well. Just this week, a local criminal who had been caught in possession of Class A drugs and several firearms was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

As Head of Policing in Kirklees, I fully understand my responsibility to be aware of the concerns of my communities. I do that through my seven Neighbourhood Policing Teams and would urge people to come to their monthly meetings so we can better prioritise our limited resources.

Pickles started at wrong end

From: Quentin Deakin, Newark Road, Crossflatts, Bingley.

CUTS are coming Bradford’s way (Yorkshire Post, February 19). Who needs them? Not the children we’re encouraging to use the library. Not the elderly wanting to keep fit at the swimming pool. Not those less fortunate needing help in their homes. Not the youngster training for a job that no longer exists. Not the worn-out grandparent asked to fill the gap.

Some things need cutting though. At £200,000, the pay of Bradford’s chief executive could be cut by two-thirds and a dozen more on the next rung down would survive on half their £60,000. Glossy publications and fancy entertainments – they need to be trimmed too.

These are examples of the efficiency savings promised by Eric Pickles. The question we should be asking is this. If these are the things that should go, why didn’t he target them directly right at the start?

Safeguard fuel supplies

From: Paul Rouse, Main Street, Sutton upon Derwent, York.

I HOPE that the Government has put together disaster plans in the event that the growing calls for regime change in Middle East countries, spreads to the major oil producers and results in an energy crisis.

This area has been a powder keg for decades, and the overthrow of the more authoritarian rulers has always been a possibility. The problem for the West to ponder is who might come next? Given our obvious lack of preparedness following the war with Iraq, I do wonder if we are ready for what could happen.

We may rejoice in the removal of dictatorial regimes in favour of democracy, but if that democracy results in anti-Western and anti-Israeli policies, involving the use of oil supplies as a weapon against us, someone will have to react quickly and decisively.

You have to wonder how David Cameron might do that, surrounded as he is by Lib Dems.

Keep flood system simple

From: John Goodman, King Tree Avenue, Cottingham, Hull.

The proposal by Yorkshire Water to become involved in flood protection work must be resisted (Yorkshire Post, February 18).

Yorkshire Water is not altruistic but a profit-orientated company. Its performance at the time of the 2007 flood in Hull does not give confidence in its expertise and its subsequent flood reduction scheme to pump sewage from some 200,000 homes into the Humber is not a satisfactory solution.

The present set-up of several organisations being involved in drainage in the same area does not give effective solutions. To add yet another will make the situation worse. The only way forward is to have one organisation totally focused on drainage and flood protection. It should be responsible for the entire catchment of the Humber Estuary. This should bring together expertise capable of dealing with the many problems.

The last thing needed is yet another organisation adding to an already fragmented situation.