Sunday Times letters: Rowley's radical police force proposals

Times

3 days ago

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In 2009, on his retirement as chief constable of West Midlands police, I asked Sir Paul Scott-Lee what was the main issue facing UK policing. He replied: 'The answer isn't 43' — the number of police forces in England and Wales. The problem is even more pressing today, as Sir Mark Rowley highlighted ('The police are here to protect — we are not social workers', Jul 6). The main obstacle to reform is the financial differential between policing metropolitan, Labour-led areas and Conservative-led counties. The creation of police and crime commissioners added further obstacles. The reform of our 43-force model is long overdue — but in all public sector reorganisations where those in charge are left to reorganise themselves, the predicted cost cuts are never delivered. I suggest any reorganisation is overseen by the National Audit Office and an independent oversight board with the authority to veto aspects that do not meet the cost-cutting objectives.Brendan ConnorIndependent member of West Midlands Police Authority (2007-16)Independent member of West Midlands Strategic Policing Board (2016-22)
As a retired police officer who worked for 13 years at Police Staff College, Bramshill, and who advocated a restructure to make seven regional forces in England and a single Welsh force, I was pleased to read that Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, has come to similar conclusions regarding funding. I have long stated that technology provides the possibility of a complete overhaul of the outdated county police system, which requires more than 40 headquarters, chief constable teams and attendant costs, and only facilitates a career path for senior officers. Let's make use of the economies of scale Rowley suggests and return to neighbourhood policing by increasing officer numbers.Tod O'BrienStrensall, N Yorks
Sir Mark Rowley makes persuasive points regarding reform of our police force but we must be careful about what he calls 'technology that boosts efficiency'. China is a leader in facial recognition technology. If we bought its systems we would have to ensure that there was no transmission of data back to Beijing, which has a history of targeting dissidents who have sought sanctuary in this country.David HoggettWinchester
When Lord Trenchard was commissioner of the Met in the 1930s he introduced a direct-entry recruitment system that produced outstanding chief constables. When Sir Robert Mark held the role, he was known for his lack of tolerance of corruption and wrote a bestselling autobiography. What will Sir Mark Rowley be remembered for? He could leave a legacy by introducing league tables that show which divisions have the highest sickness rates, get the most complaints and claim the most overtime.John KennyAcle, Norfolk
Sir Mark Rowley's assertion that the 'police are here to protect' is true, but the absence of officers patrolling on foot makes it an ambition based more on hope than reality. His statement that police are 'not social workers' is also true, but British policing has always included working in social settings for the public benefit. His conclusion that we need 'serious reform' makes the most sense. The last time a royal commission made recommendations on policing was in 1960, when we still had hanging.Peter PowerSenior Met officer (ret'd) Lyndhurst, Hants
Your report on the 'HS2 money train' (investigation, Jul 6) named many of the companies and organisations that have benefited from this grossly mismanaged white elephant. The report did not, however, name any of the leading politicians from the main parties who forced this project through in the teeth of vociferous and well-informed local opposition, nor how many heads have rolled at the Department for Transport. Another investigation in the pipeline, methinks.Marilyn FletcherGreat Missenden, Bucks
Regarding your investigation into the mismanagement and huge overspend of HS2, another example of wasted money during the project has been the compulsory purchase of homes. For example, at Whitmore Heath, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, about 25 expensive, detached properties were bought a number of years ago with a view to HS2 construction work being carried out in the area. Many years later these properties still stand empty, a situation which I'm sure has been replicated in other parts of the country.John Richard JacksonNewcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs
I was not surprised to find out that staff receive cash bonuses for catching out passengers with 'oversized bags' at the departure gates ('Airport staff's oversize bag bonus', Jul 6). However, I was surprised to read that this incentive scheme has been set up to reward staff for 'doing the right thing'. If you pay someone to 'do the right thing', it is no longer the right thing.Eugene MalthouseBristol
I believe in the importance of history and heritage. However, our public services — the armed forces, NHS, care system, etc — are desperate for money to fund essential improvements. Therefore, in what way does it make sense to consider spending £9.6 million on a new door for the House of Lords (politics, Jul 6)?Celia LovegroveReading
Has no one told the BBC or Wimbledon organisers that the Covid pandemic is over? There is no need for Annabel Croft et al to conduct on-court, post-match interviews while standing literally yards away from the player.Martin HenryGood Easter, Essex
Jeremy Clarkson was right in his critique of Sir Keir Starmer ('Take cover! Here comes the weapon of Marxist destruction', Jul 6). Opinion polls suggest many agree with him. But the problem is more widespread. There is a lack of leadership among our politicians, many of whom seem more motivated by what they are against than what they stand for. We need gifted leaders to replace the lightweight chancers who struggle to tell the truth. History suggests chaos like this leads to dictatorship and the promise of equally shallow solutions. Let's find the right people with the right leadership skills before it's too late.Thornton MustardLydford, Devon
A Sunday Times poll reported 'welcome news' for Rachel Reeves: 12 per cent of voters think more of politicians for crying, while it makes no difference to 60 per cent ('In the stocks', news, Jul 6). I am one of the 60 per cent. I still think she is a dreadful chancellor.Carol ForshawBolton
Regarding your report on 'revenge quitters' (news, Jul 6), arriving in the City one day I found the street outside my office blocked by a large car. A revenge quitter had abandoned it and dropped the keys down a drain. Another revenge trick, when you were asked to hand back the keys to the company car, was to post them after leaving the vehicle in one of Heathrow's ferociously expensive short-term car parks.Mike ThomasBrill, Bucks
Regarding potential misuse of the benefits system, when my father died aged 39 my mother had to raise four small children on a means-tested supplementary benefit, with no recognition of my brother, who was intellectually disabled. I still recall her fear and shame when an inspector called to walk round the house to ensure she was not misspending the paltry sum. Perhaps it's time to reintroduce such a system.Mair CrouchGlasgow
This may be a naive suggestion but why don't energy companies put solar panels on pylons? They are already a blot on the landscape — so no change there. Pylons undergo regular maintenance. Adding a few solar panels should be easy.Sue MobsbySlawston, Leics
The BBC will only emerge strongly from its charter renewal if independence from the government is maintained. I have little confidence, however, after sources were quoted as saying Lisa Nandy would seek to use the process to seize powers that include sacking board members ('Teflon Tim feels the heat from culture secretary', Jul 6). Members of this government should ask themselves whether they would be content if, after the next general election, Nigel Farage held the power to sack BBC board members and replace them with people of his own choice.Richard MillerLiverpool
When will the government start talking about our expanding national debt? It is close to £3 trillion and will never be paid off in our lifetime. We shouldn't leave it to our children to pay it back.Mike ClarkeHinchley Wood, Surrey
Like many readers I have been inspired to donate to a good cause after reading a Sunday Times article ('When you're touched by our stories, you give so generously', Jul 6). I did so after reading a column by Richard Coles. He wrote about my local hospice, which relies on donations for 70 per cent of its funding. I had just won a Premium Bonds prize so I donated a percentage to the hospice. I have continued to do so each time I win. Perhaps it has brought me luck in return.Sheila TaylorPevensey Bay, E Sussex
Rhiannon Carvell suggests using smaller dinner plates to reduce portion sizes (letter, Jul 6). Combine this with wearing reading glasses that magnify and you have the perfect recipe for weight loss.Edward BaconHarrow, Middx
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