The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Having just read the news about the handbag snatch from a disabled lady and the nasty assault on Pete Williams and his wife (Punchbowl public house) I felt I had to comment about matters in the town centre.
I have visited the town centre on three occasions during the past six days and the one thing very conspicuous by its absence is any sign of a police officer, be it a PCSO (the norm) or an actual officer.
On each of the occasions I have visited I have witnessed groups of Eastern Europeans gathered together and drinking various alcoholic beverages, usually cans of foreign beer.
On two occasions they were gathered outside Boots “shouting the odds” and the other group were in the Sheepmarket near the betting shop.
Add to that the “throw-away” litter bugs, various bicycles being ridden across footpaths, cars driving through the pedestrian areas in Hall Place at excluded hours, all to the detriment of pedestrians and you get a general flavour of the couldn’t care less attitude of those who feel they can do just what they wish.
Anyone challenging misbehaviour gets a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse.
Please don’t think this is targeted only at immigrants, many of those to whom I’m referring are locals.
Whilst all this is happening, and long standing members of the local community are robbed and/or assaulted where is our highly paid police force?
I can’t help but feel that we need some sort of visible deterrent in the form of police officers in and around the town, and not just the PCSOs who do their best to support the community.
In days gone by I believe this was known as management by walking about – bobbies on the beat.
Lincolnshire Police ask for more and more each year from our council taxes but what are they giving in return? I’m sure the local inspectors, etc will be able to tell us what their officers are doing but I, for one, would like to see some of my money spent on prevention of crime and anti-social behaviour, maybe a period of high visibility, zero-tolerance policing in and around Spalding town centre would pay some dividends.
I don’t suggest I have all the answers, and I know the police have a difficult job but I do think that the current policing routines in our town are no longer working effectively and more pro-active policing is required at all times not just at night at the weekends.
Over to you Lincolnshire Police.
S Barrett
via email
