Victory for people power
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 13th September 2001.
VILLAGERS at Kedington are celebrating after changes which increased the beat of their village bobby have been reversed.
Angry villagers packed a public meeting earlier this year in protest at changes making Pc Peter Ferrie cover parts of Haverhill as well as Kedington and eight other villages.
MP Richard Spring passed on a 1,000 signature petition to Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee and district councillor Tony Sutton resigned as chairman of the village Neighbourhood Watch group in protest at the change.
On Monday, representatives of Kedington and other parishes met area commander Chief Superintendent Sylvia Pearce and sector commander Inspector Ivlike Bacon, who told them the Kedington beat would return to its former size.
Insp Bacon said other officers would cover Haverhill beats in the short term, but in the longer term the Parkway and Cangle wards would be divided and another beat officer appointed.
“It is essential that Suffolk Constabulary manages the workloads of individual officers to ensure they are not faced with excessive demand.
“However, an important part of our community based style of policing is that we do listen and take note of public opinion. In this case, we responded to public concern by working out an alternative way to deal with the problem,” Insp Bacon said.
Richard Spring described the outcome as a victory for “people power” and thought it had been handled very well by the police. “I am very pleased, I think they realised there was a mistake. People in villages do have specific needs and I think the constabulary has accepted that,” Mr Spring said.
Tony Sutton said he was considering returning to his Neighbourhood Watch role in view of the change of heart. “It is brilliant, it shows that the police do listen to people,” Mr Sutton said.
Nichola Baillie, who organised the petition, said she was absolutely delighted with the decision. “It is wonderful news for all the villages. People spoke out and said what they thought. with well reasoned arguments . The police did listen and have gone away and done what they could about it.” Mrs Baiilie said.
Angry villagers packed a public meeting earlier this year in protest at changes making Pc Peter Ferrie cover parts of Haverhill as well as Kedington and eight other villages.
MP Richard Spring passed on a 1,000 signature petition to Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee and district councillor Tony Sutton resigned as chairman of the village Neighbourhood Watch group in protest at the change.
On Monday, representatives of Kedington and other parishes met area commander Chief Superintendent Sylvia Pearce and sector commander Inspector Ivlike Bacon, who told them the Kedington beat would return to its former size.
Insp Bacon said other officers would cover Haverhill beats in the short term, but in the longer term the Parkway and Cangle wards would be divided and another beat officer appointed.
“It is essential that Suffolk Constabulary manages the workloads of individual officers to ensure they are not faced with excessive demand.
“However, an important part of our community based style of policing is that we do listen and take note of public opinion. In this case, we responded to public concern by working out an alternative way to deal with the problem,” Insp Bacon said.
Richard Spring described the outcome as a victory for “people power” and thought it had been handled very well by the police. “I am very pleased, I think they realised there was a mistake. People in villages do have specific needs and I think the constabulary has accepted that,” Mr Spring said.
Tony Sutton said he was considering returning to his Neighbourhood Watch role in view of the change of heart. “It is brilliant, it shows that the police do listen to people,” Mr Sutton said.
Nichola Baillie, who organised the petition, said she was absolutely delighted with the decision. “It is wonderful news for all the villages. People spoke out and said what they thought. with well reasoned arguments . The police did listen and have gone away and done what they could about it.” Mrs Baiilie said.
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