Once again, it is time to get back to the basics of what people want from their police – to investigate, detect, and solve real crimes, not hurt feelings.
Having seen the work my team and colleagues across the country do, I have no doubt that the public are best served by those who they can hold fully accountable.
Fox was previously an MEP for South West England and Gibralter, and Conservative leader in the European Parliament.
These positions are a successful manifesto commitment and have been crucial to increasing local accountability in policing. Vacant positions for the May elections are being advertised now.
I have always been a believer in the broken windows theory: for crime but also for standards more widely. Steve Watson – Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, and a proponent of back-to-basics policing – was right to insist on a smarter dress code.
It is absolutely right that at the next general election we will be judged on our response to law and order. The Government and PCCs, working together, have provided more money, more officers and now, more time.
Why am I spending taxpayers’ hard-earned cash on a larger police presence – when the rates of traditional crimes are falling?
Police forces can learn from Mark Rowley’s declaration that his officers should focus on tackling crime in the capital, rather than dealing with non-life-threatening mental health call-outs.
Whilst we pat ourselves on the back for reaching our manifesto target, the number of crimes solved continue to fall, and our prisons and courts remain overwhelmed.
I am yet to see a plan in place that makes me think this dire situation will get better any time soon.
Dealing with mental health issues or traffic violations leaves our forces with less time to tackle the crimes we rightly expect them to solve.
Whether or not I appointed the right candidate, only time will tell, and the Surrey public will be the ultimate judge.
Catchy slogans are no substitute for a clear focus on the basics: more officers, proper investigations, and higher solve rates.
With households feeling the squeeze, have a duty to be smart and imaginative in making policing budgets stretch as far as possible.
We must also teach our youth the truth about the great strides the UK has taken in addressing climate change and how lawful action is what really effects change in a democracy.