Policing
Law and Order urgently needs Reform.
The government is soft on crime and police leadership is badly failing. The bobby on-the-beat is almost extinct. Paperwork wastes huge amounts of police time. Crime solving is at an all-time low. Charging rates have collapsed to around 5%.
As a result, violent crime is at record highs. ‘County lines’ drugs gangs have spread across the UK. Teenage knife crime is out of control. Public confidence in the police is at an all-time low. The police must protect life, property and prevent crime without fear or favour.
Critical reforms needed in the first 100 days:
Commence Increase in Police Numbers.
England and Wales have 235 police officers per 100k population. One of the lowest levels in Europe. France has nearly 300 police per 100k population. Commence recruitment to increase UK per capita police numbers to 300 per 100k population. That is 40,000 new front-line officers, over a 5 year parliament.
Commence Zero Tolerance Policing.
It worked in New York. Clampdown on all crime and antisocial behaviour. Prison for all violent crimes and possessing a knife. Half of acquisitive crimes are drug related. Dealing and trafficking will get mandatory life imprisonment. A new offence of Substantial Possession of Drugs will meet heavy fines. Increase Stop and Search Substantially. It is a proven deterrent to knife crime.
New Police Leadership & Recruitment Regime.
Strong preference for ex-military officers and personnel.
More Bobbies on the Beat.
Ensure that police return to the beat and use better technology to stop wasting time on paperwork. Visible policing stops crime before it starts. Allow PCSOs to become police officers before the role is phased out.
Common Sense Policing not ‘Woke’ Policing.
Scrap all Diversity, Equality and Inclusion roles and regulations to stop two-tier policing. Protect the public without fear of favour. Reform the The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) so that the police complaints system works for the law abiding public.
Scrap or Reform Police and Crime Commissioners.
PCCs do not have sufficient power to make a difference. Yet some employ 30 staff. That could be 30 more police officers on the beat. Either they get the power to make a real change or they should go.
De-Politicise the College of Policing.
Instead, prioritise crime prevention, discipline, public service and high standards of strength and fitness. Replace degree-standard entry with an entrance exam. Require officers to complete a 2-year probationary period.