Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
16 November 2009
09:4233228agreed phil
vic we did discuss this at crabble when again you forgot what the score was(so i had to remind you) lol
16 November 2009
09:5833231Sometimes we need to question the amount of stuff that is criminalised before we start to bemoan the number of criminals. No-one would doubt that most of what is punishable is in the right category, but with such a complex and overloaded legal system it is possible to weight stats in many ways to ones own (or ones parties) advantage. It is also important to look at the underlying underpinning causes of crime - and not just to capture it in a soundbite for election purposes.
Guest 686- Registered: 5 May 2009
- Posts: 556
16 November 2009
10:5833241You're right there Bern; lies, damned lies and statistics! The number-crunchers will often massage the figures to "prove" a worthless point.
Phil West
If at first you don't succeed, use a BIGGER hammer!!
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
16 November 2009
22:5333306Post No 11.
When do you want me to start Bern?
You come up with the figures and the right equipment and I'm all yours.
May need a few alibies though, just to get me going.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
17 November 2009
08:2733316We all look back to see what post number 11 was.
If areas get too bad people will consider taking the law into their own hands.
PCSOs can only record and communicate, they can't arrest, so their power is similar to a security patrol - isn't it ?
Wasn't there a group of guys a few years back that used to patrol the subways of New York or somewhere, called "Angels". they did a similar thing - clean up the metro system from gangs of muggers.
If the Police were answerable locally, then we could tell them where the most crime is and concentrate on that area; trouble is that people don't bother reporting a lot of crime because they say Maidstone don't even know where so and so street is, but we must record every incident, so the Police can build up a picture of an area then they will patrol that area, but the public has to do their bit too, by reporting it in the first place.
Roger
17 November 2009
09:3233328We do, but it does feel a bit futile. All the low level but expensive (personally, not socially) and irritating car crime such as snapped off aerials and wing mirrors can be a pain to report as it is a palava each time. And the poor woman next door - elderly and widowed not long ago - keeps having chunks of brickwork broken off her wall by eejits who just stand there after closing time and destory the nearest thing. I am sure she doesn't report it, and I can't blame her.
Ian - I may well be drafting out a job description soon if things don't improve!!!!
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
17 November 2009
09:4633330ROGER
You are very wrong on PCSO and the role, far more to it
but i need to declare an interest in this subject lol
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
17 November 2009
14:0433346Roger. They tried those guardian angels over here for a while I believe,(or were going to). Didn`t go down well with the police apparently. But then, like vigilanties, it`s effective, and they don`t seem to like that.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
17 November 2009
17:5833354they were completely non violent, they just stood in the way of potential criminal activity, showing no fear.
worked like a dream.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
18 November 2009
08:2533384So can you tell me what the powers of a PCSO are Keith ? - just for clarification.
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
18 November 2009
23:3133418Roger I think you will find out they do not have much power if any only to report back and then the police come out, but they are better then having nothing and the ones i have seen about and talk to are doing the best they can,and they are a help.They are walking around at times when most of us are indoors looking at the T.V. and I feel that is a good thing and some times they are with the police and can tell them about the area they are working in and what or who the police need to keep a EYE open for.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
19 November 2009
07:5133424That's what I said Vic - I'm waiting for Keith (as he is a PCSO) to clarify what their duties/powers are.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
19 November 2009
08:2933431Roger
Here are the basic powers of a PCSO but I believe the Chief Constable has a certain amount of discretion
Issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for offences of disorder
Detain for up to 30 minutes suspects who fail to give details
Use reasonable force to detain as at 2
Impose requirements and dispose of alcohol consumed in designated public places
Enter any premises to save life and limb or prevent serious damage to property
Carry out PACE road checks and stop vehicles to do so
Stop and search vehicles & belongings in areas authorised under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Seize vehicles used to cause alarm etc.
Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for offences of cycling on footways, dog fouling, litter
Require name and address from suspects
Require name and address from person acting in anti-social manner
Confiscate and dispose of alcohol from young persons
Seize and dispose of tobacco from young persons
Authorise removal of abandoned vehicles
Stop vehicles for testing
Make traffic directions for abnormal vehicles.
Basic Powers
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
19 November 2009
10:0533441Thank's Marek, some good points to ponder there.
Who would like to know how many fixed penalty notices have been issued in dover for cycling, dog fouling and litter?
I would.
I suppose it's just the ordinary public who see these things.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 November 2009
10:3133442just as important, how many get paid?
19 November 2009
16:4733460A good point well made Howard!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
19 November 2009
17:3533469Thanks Keith
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
19 November 2009
18:0033473i still think that the pcso's are vital to the public, many will disagree.
at least you can see them and talk to them if necessary.
a good pcso can really stamp their authority in an area, and make life better for the lawful.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
19 November 2009
21:1433502I think the PCSO's have become a welcome and accepted part of society today as they seem to have taken over the role of the 'old fashioned bobby'. I'm not so sure about the ones I have seen walking around in green uniforms (who or what are they, DDC wardens?).
Private Security Patrols sounds a bit like sanctioned protection if you ask me.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
20 November 2009
09:1733525Sorry there, I thanked Keith for the powers of a PCSO, it should have been thank you Marek.
Is there anything you can add Keith ?
I agree Howard, PCSO are very important and very useful - the ears and eyes of a community.
Roger