Essex MP on neighbourhood policing: 'It's great to see new police officers, but better to keep experienced ones'
Essex police have announced 70 new neighbourhood police officers across the county
An Essex MP has welcomed the Government's new neighbourhood policing guarantee, meaning 70 new neighbourhood police across the county, but argues "it would have been better to keep experienced officers".
It's after the Prime Minister unveiled plans on 10 April to restore confidence in policing and deliver security for working people.
This includes named and contactable officers for every neighbourhood and guaranteed police patrols in busy areas at peak times, 'ending years of postcode lottery', according to the government.
Marie Goldman, MP for Chelmsford, who will receive 9 new officers as part of the Government guarantee, has said: it's great to see new police officers, but wouldn't it have been better if we had kept experienced police officers in the police service?"
"Police, everywhere, has had cuts in the last decade and unfortunately, when you cut policing, just like in ay job, you lose the experienced people as well.
"So I'm always concerned about that that experience going out of any system.
The PM announced the new measures on Thursday: 'For the first time in fifteen years, working people across the country will be entitled to the same standards from the police, no matter where they live '.
This forms part of the government’s Plan for Change and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, putting 13,000 more neighbourhood officers on our streets.
Marie Goldman added: "when we look at policing, we should be looking at prevention."
We do see, unfortunately, a lot of gang activity in Chelmsford, and I don't want to worry anybody unduly but equally, we have seen an increase in it over the years, and we need to tackle that and understand why it's happening.
"It's really important that we build up a good relationship with the police. I'd like to see them working with young people more and more.
"But I also worry that we focus a lot on having more police presence. Wouldn't it be better if people didn't commit the crimes in the first place?"
"So I'd like to see more focus on prevention and trying to understand why people do commit those crimes.
Marie adds she'd like to see an increase in youth services and clubs: "Unfortunately, the lack of extra-curricular activities for young people, creates a bit of a vacuum for gangs to sweep in."
Roger Hirst, Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “More local, visible and accessible policing has always been at the heart of our approach to community safety, this is a priority in our Police and Crime Plan which we developed last year.
"This year we have worked hard to communicate our vision to the Government during the recent precept negotiations and it’s pleasing to see the Government’s National Policing Guarantee which aligns with our plans.
“We will help officers to be more visible in our communities and sustain our commitment to supporting town centre policing, neighbourhood policing, rural policing and working to reduce crimes against businesses.”