Following the rise of overnight crime, particularly burglaries across the Hollymoor and Great Park region,
I have ran a successful campaign to promote private security patrols. To clear up any misinformation you may have heard – the scheme was spearheaded by local residents themselves to act as a deterrent and first response before the police arrive and has the potential to lower insurance premiums. It was to be paid for by volunteers via a common fund, and was to benefit the whole community regardless of ability to pay. So I found it incredibly ironic / hypercritical to see Labour react so slanderous, because it’s effectively a ‘voluntary socialist system’ (or perhaps I knew they’d react this way, which is why I ran the campaign, to open up the conversation!).
Since then The West Midlands Police have been working closely with me on a new strategy to target crime. They have increased overnight patrols in the ward, have made some high profile arrests and say they have already witnessed a decrease in overnight crime. We are working closely to setup a street watch campaign and co-ordinate intelligence to facilitate more arrests in the future. This has all been made possible by this candid intervention, which has opened up the conversation, brought down barriers, and created an real appetite for members of the community to get involved with solving crime in their local area. This is only be a positive thing!
As predicted, the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner has got involved to criticise me in the press, while the local Labour MP Richard Burden attempted to criticise me in Parliament. Only this backfired spectacularly, when the Home Secretary pointed out, apparently Richard Burden MP voted against increased police funding.
The Government has given the West Midlands Police a real terms cash increase. In addition, the Labour PCC can now raise the precept to around 50 pence a week. In total, this means a £34 million boost for our police. However, Labour continue to take no accountability for their failing PCC, who has a track record of wasting tax payers money on the wrong priorities: like £33m on a new headquarters, or £10m on back office staff, all while cutting front line police officers. I stated in the Birmingham Mail that as the party of ‘law and order’ the Police should be the pride and joy of the Conservatives. But it’s very difficult for Councillors like myself to lobby our Home Secretary for extra cash when the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner is wasting so much money!
That’s why we think it’s time to merge the role of PCC with the duty of West Midlands Combined Authority. This would make the service more accountability to the public and critically the police pound would go much further. There is currently a consultation ongoing on the West Midlands Combined Authority website and I encourage you all to take part. Until then I will continue to work closely with the West Midlands Police and local residents to achieve productive and pragmatic solutions to tackling crime in the area.
Take part in the PCC consultation today > Frankleyforward.org/PCCsurvey
Be part of our Street Watch Campaign > simon.morrall@birmingham.gov.uk
WATCH THE LABOUR MP ATTEMPT TO CRITICISE ME IN PARLIAMENT BELOW :
I GOT MENTIONED IN PARLIAMENT!
I got mentioned in Parliament this week! Watch as the Labour MP for Northfield attempted to smear my security initiative to the Home Secretary, only for it to backfire on him SPECTACULARLY! 😊👍
Geplaatst door Simon Morrall op Woensdag 5 december 2018