County Conservatives Would Close Down Neighbourhood Policing Groups

5.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 16th Oct 2007

At this afternoon's County Cabinet meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Alan Armitage raised concerns about a report on Neighbourhood Action Groups. The report seemed mainly to be trying to increase bureaucracy, and giving additional burdens to police officers and Community Support officers.

Cllr Armitage said: "Liberal Democrats want to see more police and support officers on the streets, not tied up in writing reports for the County Council! The Neighbourhood Action Groups are supposed to be just what they say on the tin - Action Groups. The groups involve and consult local residents and community organisations to agree policing priorities for the neighbourhood, which they then take action on.

"I am sorry that the Conservatives do not understand this - they cannot have attended any Neighbourhood Action Group meetings to find out what they are really about, or read any of the excellent information produced by Thames Valley Police to help its partners understand their role in the process. In fact, the Police require the County's assistance with delivering some priorities - in the rural areas of the County speeding is the one of the top two priorities, for example. Instead, the Cabinet have concluded that the County Council does not need to get involved, apart from unrealistically demanding totally unnecessary reports. Liberal Democrats disagree and think that NAGs should be supported in much more practical ways."

Related Link:

Alan's speech to Cabinet on this subject.