Letter: Residents Want Money Spent on More Policing, Not Communications

Published on: 7 Feb, 2022
Updated on: 7 Feb, 2022

PCC Lisa Townsend

From: Brian Creese

Chair Guildford Labour

In response to: Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office ‘Cannot Carry On’ Without Tax Rise

Talking to residents around Guildford in recent weeks there is clear discontent with the standard of service residents receive from their local police.

Many people we have talked to have complained about there being no visible sign of police anywhere in their neighbourhood, of police ignoring reports of repeated anti-social behaviour and offering no help or support to those in areas where there is an intimidating atmosphere after dark.

Rather than solutions, or even promises of a better service, we have the PCC asking for more funding for communications staff to let residents know what she and her office does.

My view is that residents would be happier to fork out more money at this difficult time if the promise was of better policing not better communications.

Responses to Letter: Residents Want Money Spent on More Policing, Not Communications

RWL Davies Reply

February 8, 2022 at 2:49 pm

A sound point.

What is the business case for a PCC to have a communications team and what would it do that a good personal assistant couldn’t do?
Ben Paton Reply

February 9, 2022 at 1:32 pm

The police do enough ‘spin’ of their own without needing any assistance from the PCC.
D Glynn-Jones Reply

February 9, 2022 at 1:38 pm

If the PPC hasn’t shown us what it is she does by doing it, then how will appointing a communications officer make any difference? Please spend any money available on improving front line policing.
Fiona White Reply

February 14, 2022 at 7:05 pm

I am a member of the Surrey Police & Crime Panel that debated the commissioner’s increase to her budget. As is probably known, the majority of the panel recommended that she spend the whole of the increase on the police force rather than taking money for additional communications staff in her own office. Unfortunately, because of the way the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act is worded, we can only recommend and the commissioner is free to ignore our advice.

Similarly, it requires a two-thirds majority of the whole panel (including anyone not at the meeting) to veto the budget rather than a simple majority of those present.

Fiona White is the Lib Dem county councillor for Guildford West.