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LETTER TO EDITOR: Neighbourhood Policing in Brighton and Hove

The key to effective policing is a genuine working relationship with local communities.

Steve Parry
Steve Parry

This is the central message we have received from the Police, our City Council and Government Ministers for a number of years.

What has been described as community or neighbourhood policing has been shown by criminological studies and research by the Home Office and others to be what local people desire and what is effective.

The introduction of Police Community Support Officers has been shown to be highly effective despite initial skepticism. One of the most important results of neighbourhood policing is not just the potential reduction in crime but the reduction in the fear of crime that does so much to inhibit sections of our community being involved in normal social activity. We need the police to work with our community and an end to the reduction in officers on the beat.

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed there will be 700 fewer police officers delivering local policing over the next 5 years, and a further 300 posts elsewhere in the force will go. In particular, Sussex will lose more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). 58 (out of 347) have already left and there are another 69 to go. The police often don’t have the time to attend Local Action Team meetings and accountability to local communities is being lost. A significant change in policy is being implemented without consultation and against the clear wishes and needs of local citizens.

A petition has been organised calling on the City Council to support neighbourhood policing and to confirm its support for Local Action Teams (LATS), the voice of the community holding the police to account and determining our local community priorities.

Well over 200 citizens of Brighton and Hove have signed the petition in the past few days but for it to be discussed at the full Council Meeting on October 22 it requires the support of at least 1,250 people. To be honest, if this number or more do not sign then we cannot complain if officers disappear from our streets.

Sign up at http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx…

The petition states:

“We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to express support for ‘Neighbourhood Policing’ and to oppose decisions by the Police and Crime Commissioner, together with senior officers of the Sussex Police, to reduce the number of police officers delivering local policing. Brighton & Hove City Council is also requested to confirm its policy on, and commitment to, Local Action Teams (LATs) as initially agreed by Cabinet on 21 May 2009.”

Thank you to all who have signed so far.

Steve Parry
High Street, Brighton

Charity fundraiser at Charles Street

Chris Marshall, manager of Charles Street and DJ Ruby Roo will be celebrating their 7th annual charity Sunday cabaret birthday bash this evening at Charles Street starting at 6pm.

WEB.600.2

Hosted by Lola Lasagne the line up of artists appearing will include: La Voix, Drag With No Name, Dave Lynn, Lady Imelda, Rose Garden, Sandra, Marth D’Arthur, Nan, Sally Vate, Mrs Moore, Davina Sparkle, Miss Penny, Son of a Tutu and Cassidy Connors.

All money raised will go to the Rainbow Fund who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove. Organisations supported by the Rainbow Fund including Trans Alliance, Clare Project, Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, GEMS, Older & Out, MindOut, Allsorts Youth Project, Peer Action and Lunch Positive. So please give generously.

For more information about the Rainbow Fund, click here:

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