On Thursday I went to Coalville to talk to Andrew Bridgen MP and local councillors and residents about crime and policing in the area. It turned out to be a fascinating meeting.
The discussion ranged widely over different sorts of crime in the area. Vehicle crime, and particularly the theft of cars, is increasing. County line drugs gangs are active in the area. Outside the town itself there is a real rise in rural crime. Farm machinery is being targeted, as are farm vehicles. And anti-social behaviour seems to be a problem in many areas.
Everyone present was keen to talk about how good the police officers that they dealt with were. One local resident had an interesting tale to tell. A team of four men was in his village of Osgathorpe carrying out burglaries and car thefts. One of his neighbours spotted one of the four trying to break into a house and called the police. To his delight the police arrived just 45 seconds later and arrested the criminals. It turned out that the police had been aware of the gang – and of the number plate on their car – but that they were always one step behind. That single phone call gave the police the break they needed.
The story shows the huge importance of both accurate information and of having police on the ground in rural areas. It is vital that the increased police numbers and other resources being provided to our area by the Boris Johnson’s Conservative government are used to rebalance resources across our City and two counties so that crime and the fear of crime can be properly addressed.
