British Transport Police have contacted me about some sessions for
people to get their phones, bicycles etc. registered. Details below.
This is a really practical way to help fight crime and assist victims
whose items are subsequently recovered.
==============================================
We have a few dates now for future property recording and bike marking
dates which would be great if you could let local people know via you're
website/newsletter/tweets
6th December between 1300-1600 hours Conway Park
9th December from 0900 -1100 hours Conway Park – also Lime Street
Station on this date
17th December from 0900 – 1100 hours Conway Park.
Pat Cleary is councillor for Birkenhead & Tranmere and leader of the Green Group on Wirral Council
28 Nov 2014
4 Nov 2014
Yobs debate is out of control
It’s not surprising that local politicians have been holding
forth about the problem of anti-social behaviour in Birkenhead. The figures
speak for themselves. ASB is a huge issue for many, many people, an enormous
blight on our communities and is placing a massive strain on public resources
But is comparing Birkenhead to Beirut and chastising the
police and other public agencies really the answer? Or, is the approach of a
general election bringing forth simplistic solutions from those our community
looks to for leadership.
Looked at through the lens of relentless austerity and the
rise in anti-social behaviour is surely inevitable.
For almost five years the people of Birkenhead have been
subjected to a ruthless attack. Benefit cuts and welfare sanctions, massive
reductions in public services and the hollowing out of local government, the
perverse bedroom tax, the explosion of zero hours contracts and poverty pay,
soaring tuition fees and the pernicious impact of payday lending companies, the
rise in fuel poverty and the relentless drop in living standards.
Those at the sharp end can see the cumulative impacts –
social workers, police, teachers, health professionals are all expected to pick
up the pieces from the relentless assault on civilised society.
I know from first hand experience that the police and other
services are working extremely hard to deal with incredibly challenging
conditions. I’m sure they welcome constructive suggestions on how best to
cooperate with other agencies. I’m also sure that the public criticism we have
recently seen is counter productive and just makes dealing with anti-social
behaviour even harder. It can only be negative for staff morale already battered by cuts in funding. Comparing
Birkenhead to Beirut is an insult to the plight of the Palestinian people and
discourages those who want to invest in our area and create badly needed
employment.
If we want to seriously address anti-social behaviour we have to address the
underlying causes. Austerity is a disaster and has to end. But, incredibly, it’s
not just the Tories and Lib Dems who persist with austerity despite its trail
of carnage. Labour too is committed to years more austerity and further cuts in
benefits and public services.
The answer to rising ASB and other social ills has to
include an end to austerity. We need a fair taxation system that addresses
inequality and ensures the wealthy start paying their fair share. We need a
reversal to public sector cuts and a fundamental reappraisal of the role of public
servants and the crucial role they play in our communities. We need investment
in housing to end fuel poverty and create employment. We need free and fair
access to education and a renewed sense of hope for young people.
The roots of rising anti-social behaviour lie in the failed
experiment that is austerity. We need politicians to wake up to that reality
rather than offer simplistic solutions that dodge the real issue.
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