I'm delighted that Chief Superintendent Weaver, Blackpool's most senior Police Officer has responded positively to my concerns that our local Police were being taken off duty in Brunswick, and put into the Town Centre.  In a detailed response to my concerns, he has assured me that "...far from watering down down the Brunswick resources, our policing structures are being built up and bolstered in support of the numerous neighbourhood teams we have established."

The proof of the pudding, however will be in the eating!  I want to hear your experiences of dealing with the Police in Brunswick - especially at nights and weekends.  Are you getting the service promised? Do you think that more Police in the Town Centre will help to improve life here in Brunswick?  Don't forget you can come along to the Police's PACT meetings (it stands for Police and Communities Together!) to tell them directly, or contact me and I'll do it on your behalf.

You can read the article in the Blackpool Gazette by clicking here

Please contact me if you would like to see a copy of Chief Superintendent Weavers letter.

Updated 08.10.2007 - Thought it may be useful to post a link here to an article in Local Government Executive magazine, which highlights the different priorities of us and the Tory Council!

Updated 03.03.2008 - Fantastic isn't it! It looks as if the Police are going to be pulling all of their funding out of the Community Contact Centre on Queens Park Estate, and moving lock, stock and barrel to Victory Road Community Centre!  I've written to the Chief Superintendent again to clarify this situation!  Needless to say, I've found out about this on the grapevine, and not from the Police themselves!  Keep watching for an update....

UPDATED 31ST AUGUST 2008 - These things are never straightforward are they!  It's important always to remember that dealing with the Police is a bit of a 'moving feast' - as thier priorities change on a regular basis, and if you're not careful, it's the socially deprived, outlying areas such as ours which get 'overlooked'.  I received information a few weeks ago that our Police presence was being affected as follows: (names removed by me!)

1 x CBM has been assigned permantly to other Duties ******
1 x CBM is on Annual Leave ***********,
1 x CBM is on town centre duties due to Punk Festival *******
1 x PCSO is on long term sick *******
2 x PCSO are on town centre duties Punk Festival ****** & ******
1 x PCSO is on restorative justice courses, & leave ******.

Obviously this is a major concern, and obviously, I hadn't been informed about it! ( I am persona non grata with a couple of people, since I had the audacity to ask the Geographic Inspector, Mr. Hughes, to tell some of his staff to stop criticising the way in which I do my job behind my back!).  I wrote to Chief Superintendent Weaver about this situation, and have received a very full (3 page!) reply.  Essentially, the letter revolves around the question of to whom Chief Superintendents are accountable to, and for what - basically, they are NOT accountable to local Councillors for operational decisions such as the above (although it is conceded that they must be prepared to justify these decisions when they are queried).  Chief Superintendent Weaver has assured me that at no point was Brunswick's Policing in any way below standard.

YOU, the residents, are the best people to tell me if you agree with him.  I want to hear YOUR views on policing in the area - email me here, or call me on 07930 44 11 93.

Needless to say, I am keeping a very close eye on the situation.  I believe the assurances that Ch. Supt. Weaver has given me, but feel it is vital that YOU the residents, and I your representative, demonstrate that we know what OUR priorities are, know what the Police are doing about them, and are not afraid to challenge those areas which we feel could do with more attention or resources!