|
|
 |
| |
Top cop should get real on crime figures
• Chief Superintendent Mark Heath says that crime in
Camden has gone down in the last four years by 14 per cent (‘Secret’
plan to cut cops, March 23).
This sounds encouraging, except that in our area it is near
impossible to report a crime. We at Neighbourhood Watch (NW)
were given a telephone crime reporting number, but found that
those at the other end were not always willing to take the details.
As a matter policy, we will offer to accompany a nervous victim
who is a member of our NW to the Kentish Town Station, but we
are usually made to wait hours before the victim, often in a
state of distress, is interviewed.
On one occasion, I accompanied a local disabled man. It was
in the evening and the station was not busy. However, the person
at the desk insisted on typing pages of material before attending
to the victim.
It took some four hours before he was interviewed. By then,
both our evenings had been spoiled. At that time at least, we
had a warm place to wait indoors.
Lately, the station has been under refurbishment and a make
shift office has been improvised. This has meant victims having
to wait their turns outdoors in front of a small temporary hut,
sometimes in freezing cold weather, to make their statements.
To make matters worse, victims often encounter criminals (some
known to them) waiting to sign the bail book. These situations
are not conducive to victims reporting crime.
May I make a suggestion that people such as myself who could
easily take statements be allowed to assist if someone belonging
to their NW shows up at their door.
Alternatively, the Police Community Support Officers who demonstrate
a real aptitude for policing should be trained and authorised
to take statements. This way, they could visit victims at home,
if the station is not manned adequately or the ‘waiting
outdoors’ policy is in effect.
Crime statistics can only be useful if they are based on reality.
Current difficulties in reporting crime distorts the reality.
Celine La Freniere
Talacre Road
NW5
|
|
|
|
