YP Comment: Police and the public interest. Risks faced by officers

While some high-ranking police chiefs continue to enjoy taxpayer-funded perks and privileges which would not be available in most walks of life, the thin blue line is becoming so stretched that officers are having to attend emergencies – potentially life and death situations – on their own because there are no back-up officers.

This came to a head in Halifax when a solitary officer became surrounded by a number of individuals behaving in a threatening manner that the local MP Holly Lynch, who was spending an evening on patrol with the police in her constituency, had to dial 999 for assistance because she was fearful that the situation could quickly become out of hand.

However it does suggest that the police’s priorities are out of kilter. Even though the reduction in officers, one of the defining policies of Theresa May’s six-year stint as Home Secretary, did not correspond with the rise in crime forecast by many commentators, the new Prime Minister seems to believe that ‘enough is enough’ as her Government calls for the allowances made available to chief constables, and their like, to be made public.

This, after all, is taxpayers’ money and the public interest demands nothing less. However it is also important that Ministers ensure that a greater proportion of policing resources are spent on front line officers, even more so given warnings that it is only a matter of time before terrorists target Britain again.

Though the safe deployment of officers in towns like Halifax should always be for local commanders to determine, the Government, as well as each and every force, has a duty of care to those brave individuals who police our streets for a living. This must never be overlooked.

Brexit’s tourism dividend

EVEN though it is just over six weeks since Britain voted to leave the European Union, the early evidence suggests that UK tourism is already reaping the rewards following a collapse in the value of the pound.

Flight books have risen by seven per cent according to one survey while anecdotal evidence from local tourism destinations like The Deep in Hull, and The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, points to a noticeable increase in visitors from Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Though it will take time for patterns to emerge, even more so given the fluctuations in the money markets, it is another reminder – if one was needed – that Britain is open for business and this message needs to be hammered home as Theresa May’s government prepares for the start of Brexit negotiations.

This will require politicians and wealth-creators pulling in the same direction, and this region can be thankful that it is home to a world-class organisation, Welcome to Yorkshire, which is very adept at promoting tourism opportunities.

However it can’t do it alone. Like other tourism bodies, it requires financial support from the Government and Mrs May needs to remember this when she begins the difficult task of reconfiguring the public finances to take account of both Brexit and the lingering deficit.

Golden wonders: The #Olympicnan making waves

HOW endearing. It speaks volumes that swimming superstar Adam Peaty’s Olympic success will be remembered as much for the down-to-earth reaction of his grandmother Mavis Williams than the 21-year-old’s victory in a world record time which saw him become Britain’s first male competitor to triumph in the pool since Yorkshire’s very own Adrian Moorhouse won gold in 1988.

After all, it is the diminutive Mrs Williams who is creating more waves than her grandson in Rio after taking up Twitter – and social media – at the age of 74 to articulate her pride. Footage of her celebrating the moment of triumph – ‘Yes! He’s done it!’ – went viral while the hashtag #Olympicnan was trending on the internet after she tweeted “My grandson has done it” in the middle of the night. This was followed by a longer and more personal message which also acknowledged the role of Peaty’s coach Mel Marshall.

Yet it is the whole family who deserve a gold medal from Mrs Williams to her daughter Caroline who would get up at 4am each day to take Adam to swimming lessons to the gold medal winner himself who was once scared of water before developing an ice-cool demeanour, and will to win, which exemplifies the very best of sport, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of success.