New ideas to combat rising tide of crime

In a press conference, held in Gerrards Cross police station, Sir Charles announced a new partnership with South Bucks District Council which will see a police officer seconded to the council.

The officer will work with council staff to develop ways of targeting criminals and specific types of crime in the district.

The Chief Constable was joined at the press conference last Thursday by Assistant Chief Constable Steve Love and Chris Furness, chief executive of the district council.

Sir Charles also went out on the beat with PC Jim McGuinness and said he had the "impression of an area with crime that is not nearly as contentious as in some other areas".

He added: "The morale of officers seems to be very high and they seem to be confident of the links they have with the local community."

The conference was the first time Sir Charles had talked publicly about the position of Superintendent Charles Nelson who is at the centre of an internal police investigation following allegations made against him by his own staff.

He confirmed that Supt Nelson would not be returning to the position of Chiltern Vale Area Commander following the inquiry.

Sir Charles said "An inquiry is ongoing and regardless of whatever happens it is in the interests of the police in Chiltern Vale that we do have a fresh area commander.

"In the short term that is [Superintendent] Kathy Govier her role is to take the policing forward until a permanent area commander is appointed in the normal manner."

The Chief Constable then gave his views on a number of key issues rural crime, property crime, recruitment and CCTV schemes which have a great effect the people of South Bucks.

Rural crime

A COMMON complaint among people living in rural South Bucks is a feeling of isolation and there is no doubt that rural communities want to see more done to tackle crime.

Mr Furness emphasised the positive impact that the Ringmaster system can have on crime levels, and said it was an essential tool in the future fighting of crime in isolated regions.

The scheme is a computer system whereby Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and shops receive police warnings of any crimes in their immediate area via the telephone.

Mr Furness added: "The Ringmaster system has not been used as well as it should be."

Inspector Ray Wilks, of Gerrards Cross police, said the police wanted to get out more into the rural communities and will shortly implement a Farm Watch Project.

Police say the total crime rate is set to fall by eight per cent across the county, with burglaries and car crime being reduced still further.

The chief constable urged people across the area not to leave valuables on display in their vehicles.

Sir Charles said that police wanted to make it clear to the people of South Bucks that there was a clear commitment to make policing in the district better than it already is.

Property crime

THE Chief Constable addressed the rate of property crime in South Bucks which according to a recent report is the highest in Britain.

Sir Charles and Assistant Chief Constable Steve Love defended the police record in the district, claiming the figures used in the Leeds University report did not accurately reflect police performance in the area.

Sir Charles said: "Car crime is high and burglary is high but violent crime is very low." He added that the partnership with the district council had been set up specifically to target these two problem areas.

ACC Love said the report had "purported South Bucks to be a hotspot."

He added that the report was a "fair stab at statistical analysis but when you get into the detail of it, it seems it was unfair." The report, he said, had used 1991 census figures and had used social deprivation as a basis for the figures but had not taken into account the wealth of the area and its proximity to London.

Sir Charles added: "Why the figures are complete nonsense is that it goes as common sense that if you live in an area that is very poor, and you live next to a wealthy area, where do you go? It's not rocket science to work that out."

Recruitment

THAMES Valley Police has one of the lowest number of officers per head in the country and has recently launched a recruitment drive.

Sir Charles admitted there was a problem with recruitment in the Thames Valley force.

He said: "The one thing that will make the most difference to policing in this area is more police officers. Our recruiting is going particularly well but it is the retention of officers that is a problem. We already have in budget enough money to recruit 325 more officers for Thames Valley. While we are short of officers we see a very significant increase in police numbers."

The shortfall in officers' wages in Thames Valley compared with the Metropolitan Police where a PC can expect to earn £6,000 per year more has led to plans for local officers to be granted an extra £2,000 per year.

He added: "The reason we were losing so many officers before was that so many people could not afford to live here. We will use more police houses to provide more accommodation for single police officers."

The extra £2,000 weighting will apply to all forces adjoining London and will come into effect from April 1.

CCTV

A NUMBER of burglaries in Gerrards Cross, including several bank raids, have left residents calling for the installation of CCTV cameras.

Mr Furness emphasised the commitment of the district council to work alongside local authorities and organisations to provide CCTV in towns and villages across the district.

He added: "We have already provided support in Burnham and Beaconsfield for the two CCTV systems. We are looking at Gerrards Cross at the moment.

"CCTV has a role to play but it's not the total answer."

ACC Love said that cameras can have a big impact in fighting crime providing they are installed in the right way.

He added that crime and disorder generally halve when CCTV cameras are introduced into a small town or village.

But he emphasised that the system must be installed in a professional way

He added: "Cameras are also reassuring to police officers because if one officer is on patrol, it is reassuring for them to be in view of the cameras it is a win-win situation."

CCTV cameras have in the past been dismissed as too expensive by Gerrards Cross Parish Council, which has responded to current crises by setting up a CCTV committee.