I do believe Cheshire Police have made significant improvements to their operations over recent years. It’s a ‘fact’ I try to promote in my column.
Let’s be honest, there was a time when dogma ruled the constabulary and Bobbies all but disappeared from our streets.
That was the idiotic ‘policemen on the beat don’t deter crime’ theory of the 80s and 90s when neighbourhood patrols ceased, police stations closed and anti-social behaviour grew to epidemic proportions.
We’ve come a long way since then, or at least I like to think so. It’s just that every so often convincing residents becomes extremely difficult by police statements worthy of Trumpton.
Take this report of a robbery on Prestbury Road, Macclesfield: ‘As well as jewellery and cash, the burglars also stole keys to a silver BMW 320 coupe and made off in the car.
‘We are particularly keen to trace the silver BMW 320 coupe which was stolen from the address. I would urge anyone who saw this car to contact me’.
I would have thought a registration number might help when tracing a missing car but, hey, that’s just me.
The other stock phrase guaranteed to spread panic is: ‘This type of crime is rare in Cheshire’.
Cheshire Police have appended these chilling words to every violent crime for a decade. Whenever you hear them it’s time to head for the hills.
Add to these bloopers the prosecution of a bail offender for failing to report to a police station that was closed and you can see how hard they make it for me to bolster the image of the constabulary.
I expect to find Trumpton’s PC McGarry (452) working at Winsford HQ any day.
