Police urged to get back on the beat

MORE police should get out of their cars and back on the beat to tackle crime, according to a leading councillor.

Cllr Nigel Vickery represents Booker and Castlefield and said both of these areas were always top of lists for crime and disorder in the area.

He was speaking after hearing a presentation on policing levels by Chilterns area police commander Superintendent Rob Beckley to Wycombe District Council's community and leisure meeting last Monday.

Supt Beckley told the meeting he only had ten officers on duty for the whole of Wycombe district on a Saturday night.

Cllr Vickery said: 'Whenever you look at crime and disorder Booker and Castlefield are always top of the list. Whenever you look at fire service reports who is top of the list? Booker and Castlefield.

'I know they the police are shortstaffed but my constituents want them on foot doing what we want them to do and that is to be local bobbies.

'We have burglaries reduced now thanks to an initiative but my constituents are very concerned about policing. I can go any night of the week, 52 weeks of the year at 10 o'clock at night and I can see five and six-year-olds roaming around Castlefield and Holmers Farm Way.

'There are no police to check what they are up to and no parental control. There are lots of questions we have within my ward which need answering such as when we are ever going to get police officers out of their panda cars at night when they are needed.'

Supt Beckley told the meeting: 'There has always been this belief that police can provide the answer. There has to be a focus on intolerance of anti-social behaviour and activity.

'You have to be realistic about what individuals can do when they are out there.'

He added: 'It is one of those issues which is easy to get emotive about. What I would really like to do is come out on a Saturday night and see what the officers can deal with and what is expected of them on this tour of duty.'