Standing Again

Welcome all,

If you have just connected with this blog this is William's blog from the 2012 elections. And he is standing again here and now in 2016. To connect with William in his latest incarnation as candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly use any of the following details:

William Morris, Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Angwinack, Ludgvan, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 8BN. Mobile: 0745 907 3621

Agent: Hon Mark G Hambley, Angwinack Cottage, Ludgvan, Penzance TR20 8BN

Blog: https://southwestjustice.wordpress.com/
Website: www.williammorris.org
Facebook: facebook.com/williammorrispcc
Twitter: @SouthWestMorris
YouTube: Best for the South West

 

The election is on May 5th. We need every vote so don't forget ! ! ! 

The Conservative Take on Justice doesn't add up

Have you come across Mr Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Lord High Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice? The Justice Secretary if you prefer. He spoke the other day at the Tory Conference as the warm up act for the Home Secretary. I was there. Unbelievable. If this is Tory Party justice policy they really need to get their act together.

"We have 3,000 more male prison places" said Grayling as if this was something to be proud of, as if Britain, with the highest prison population in Europe, should be proud of the fact that crime is now so out of control that we need a further 3,000 prison cells.

He then announced with pride, "two strikes and it's life for acts of extreme violence". Which is OK on the face of it. But remember the USA and its 3 strikes and you are out policy, a nation with half the adult male black population in jail. This is supposed to be an answer? There are better ways to deal with crime.

He then announced a "No TVs in the cells for difficult prisoners" policy. What? Why are there any TVs in the cells of Category C prisons? I'll tell you why - because staff cuts mean that prisoners can't be restricted to watching telly on association. Pathetic.

He then announced that "Crime has fallen". What he means is "Crime has changed so the staistics no longer compare." If crime had actually fallen what would be the need of three thousand extra prison cells? But they are needed, urgently.

We know how questionable statistics can be. A lot depends on how you do your counting in areas of seasonal crime with higher levels of crime against women for instance as in the South West.

Then he said "10 years will mean 10 years - not five years inside and five years out on license". He then qualified that by saying "the most serious offenders will lose the right to automatic early release".

I wonder if he knows what he's talking about. He makes me nervous.

Then he said it was "crazy that someone who poses a terror threat should be allowed to stay here and crazy that we give the vote to prisoners. Our manifesto will tackle this problem . . .  we don't need more human rights laws."

He has a point but he was playing to the gallery. All knee jerk stuff. Rather sad really.

Then he came out with, "We are against Labour's policy of community sentences for the 18 to 21s." But hang on a minute. Isn't that precisely what we need? It doesn't mean you have to be softer. Putting young adults into adult prisons really does not help. What we need, I believe, is targeted zero tolerance of crime combined with increased use of restorative justice at street level by the police force. And we need it now.

More Questions on Zero Tolerance

This is my answer to a member of public who has sent a series of questions to all candidates:

1.    If elected, what would be your first priority task?

Actually it would be to gain the confidence of our demoralised and understandably angry police force. But that is not what you mean. I have a number of priorities however let me highlight the most high profile of them all. I would introduce zero tolerance policing in an area where street crime (alcohol related violence) is increasing. Alongside which I would introduce a program of community payback delivered as an alternative to the criminal justice system by the police.  

2.    What methods would you use to complete this task (e.g. project
plan, action plan with rough outlines of steps required to complete the
task – please list sub-tasks required)

There would be a process of consultation involved - most particularly with the police force itself. However, we would need to set in place voluntary sector support for the community payback element of the scheme. Also for wet rooms for sobering people up having taken them off the streets. We would need to consult the local authority concerned with regard to section 27 dispersal orders. We would need to recruit Specials to reinforce our regular police officers on a one to one basis in the target area. We would need to consult the Police and Crime Panel. We would need to use our statisticians to identify the area to be focused on.

3.    What is your timescale for completion of this task?

This is an ongoing task. We would focus on one area for a period of time (to be determined in consultation) and then focus on another area.

4.    How will you measure the outcome as successful or not?

The crime statistics and the reaction of the general public. We will consult at every stage.

5.    How will I, as a member of the public, be able to measure your
performance on this and other tasks?

You will see the difference. However please note that I myself will be highly visible and accessible. I will be discussing outcomes with the public.

6.    What actual difference will you make to Devon and Cornwall’s
crime levels?

The answer is significant. Currently we are seeing a year on year rise in violent crime of 10% and a 12% rise in sex crimes like rape. That is quite atrocious. I would certainly hope that that will change.

Questions Regarding Zero Tolerance

* ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR *

I have said that I would immediately introduce Targeted *Zero Tolerance* policies in areas where alcohol related violence is not reduced. One elector of this constituency asks:

1. Why does this have to be limited to areas
    where alcohol related violence is not reduced.
    Surly targeting the whole spectrum of anti
    social behaviour as zero tolerance would
    benefit the whole community faster leave no
    grey areas of ambiguity especially after
    hearing some of the horror stories some people
    have gone through.

A very good question. The problem is that we live in an era of cuts. Were our Police Force full strength we could do this. But the Police budget has been cut (is in the process of being cut) by a fifth. So what we can do is to set an example in the worst affected areas (specifically those areas in which street crime such as alcohol related violence is on the increase).

2. Taking into account all of the seven point
    action plan you have quoted how much of it can
    be action immediately you become the
    commissioner ?

"Immediately" is one of those words that has shades of meaning even though it sounds clear. Let me be specific. Some projects that I am totally committed to like the detox centre for under-21s addicted to alcohol would take time to set up. Perhaps a year before it takes shape as a project. Then we have to get the cooperation of other agencies. And if we fail to bring others on board we have to initiate the process ourselves. But it will happen. Other projects like my "Child Safe" initiative require consultation with parents and teachers before they fully take shape. This post is about consultation and I do not have all the answers. However, the zero tolerance initiative (to talk about one of the more high profile projects) will be fairly immediate. Of course we will need to put the support teams in place and empower the police to do what we require. For instance we may need to put Section 27 dispersal orders in place for the area to be targeted. But without going through everything point by point, let me say that much of my manifesto will be implemented immediately and you will see evidence of that. Indeed you will see a lot of me. I will be a highly visible Police Commissioner if elected.

3. I know personally where a credit card crime
    was in process and the goods bought illegally
    was to be picked up by the person who stole
    the details. The police was informed of this
    and the time of the pick up but was shocked to
    learn that they did not have the time or
    resources to be on at hand for the pick up but
    to call 999 when the pick up turn up. What can
    I expect if the same scenario came up again if
    you should get elected the post.

This is a disturbing story. The truth is that there is a distinction between operational policing and police policy. The Chief Constable deals with operational matters and the Police Commissioner deals with policy matters. However the Police Commissioner is there to hold the Police Force accountable to the public and can hire and fire the Chief Constable. If this were to happen again I would want to know the details so that I can raise this specific question with the Chief Constable. The event you describe is clearly unacceptable but we would need to investigate the matter.

On Privatisation

All candidates are being asked whether they will privatise police services.

Privatisation of Devon and Cornwall police services is not on my agenda. And with regard to the principle underlying question here, that of the possibility of making police staff redundant and then using a private sector company, like G4S, to do the paperwork, that will not happen if I am elected. This commitment is a matter of principle.

Which means that companies like G4S do not feature in my plans. Not that I have anything personal against G4S. I am not on a crusade here. I have other priorities. However, just to make things doubly clear, I have no connections with any companies that might conceivably be offered police contracts.

Does the same apply to crime and other investigative work, forensic work, control room and custodial duties, preparation of cases for trial, and so forth? The answer is yes within reason. For instance the police use independent expert companies sometimes for facial recognition type analysis on CCTV. Be aware that I am not going to make blank cheque type pledges that would tie the hands of myself or the Chief Constable. Would I ever have a private company handling police cells? No. And I am extremely unlikely to privatise forensic services. They tried that in America and it was an utter catastrophe. I repeat I am against privatisation. But more specific pledges are inappropriate. I do not dislike the private sector. They are people too. Indeed I have spent almost my entire life working in the private sector.