I’m delighted to see the Biggleswade PCSO’s are planning to meet residents in the town this weekend as one of my key aims if I’m elected is to work for an increase in visible policing. Visible policing will act as a deterrent to prevent crime. This proactive, rather than reactive, approach will reduce the number of criminals are coming into Biggleswade to conduct crimes. Our lack of policing means Biggleswade is viewed as an ‘easy target’ and this needs to change.
POLICE STATION CLOSURE
Back in 2014 an announcement was made that, alongside other Beds stations, Biggleswade police station was to close in order to save money on police buildings – a mere £180,000 across the whole region.
The station is open 9-5 Monday to Friday or by appointment only, depending in where you look – either option fails to meet the needs of a growing town where crime isn’t always committed during office hours. If I am elected I will be asking Kathryn Holloway, the police and crime commissioner, to re-instate our police station. Despite the maximum increases in council tax for policing and recent promises of four more PCs for the town there remain no reports of a surge in visible policing or crime detection. To see details of the crimes committed locally the crime map can be found here.
SO WHAT CAN AN INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR DO DIFFERENTLY?
The appointment of a police and crime commissioner is a political position, rather than being based upon amazing detective skills. As you may expect, Kathryn Holloway is a conservative appointment. This means that conservative councillors will be very reticent to ask her difficult questions or to ask her to do things that she would find difficult and so might paint her in a less than positive light. As an independent councillor I would have no such restrictions. I can ask the police and crime commissioner any awkward questions that Biggleswade residents are keen to get answered and push for increased visible policing in the town.
Given there is an election on 2nd May, the following details are known as an election ‘imprint’ and are added to ensure people realise I am a candidate and all is transparent:
Promoted by Hayley Whitaker, 3 Sutton Road, Eyeworth, SG19 2TP.