Mark Burns-Williamson says NPTs and drug laws top the list

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson at the Unity Recovery Centre Buy this photo » Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson at the Unity Recovery Centre

Preserving Neighbourhood Policing Teams because they are a “bedrock of policing” was among the priorities outlined by West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner on a visit to Bradford yesterday.

Mark Burns-Williamson, who was elected in November, was at the Unity Recovery Centre in Manningham Lane to see the work that the Bridge charity does, helping drug addicts achieve abstinence.

He was at the centre with Councillor Ralph Berry, NHS Joint Commissioning Manager for Substance Misuse Liz Barry, Bradford Council Programme Lead for Alcohol and Drugs Nina Smith and Bridge chief executive Jon Royle.

Mr Burns-Williamson said: “I have met some people who have actually been through and used the services here.

“The drug and substance misuse scene is a lot different to what it was a few years ago and there is a lot of legislation around drug intervention programmes formed ten years ago which needs to be revisited.

“Things are happening around legal highs and different drugs and substances and the funding and legislation needs to reflect that. As PCC that is something that I will be taking up with the Home Office.”

Speaking about the pending first Police and Crime Plan for 2013/14, due by March 31, outlining his vision for West Yorkshire, Mr Burns-Williamson said it was a “work in progress”.

“Clearly people are concerned about the impact of cuts in services, particularly the NPTs and the front line,” he said. “The fact we haven’t been able to recruit that many police officers in recent times is a big priority for the public. They want to see continued investment in NPT teams and further recruitment of police officers.

“I am certainly looking at that in detail with regards to the budget.

“There is a general feeling that cuts across the board, and not just policing, but benefit cuts and how that will play out within different communities, means there is certainly a willingness of all partners to work closely together to address crime across the board. Burglary remains a key one and we will work to reduce burglary levels and the detection rate is another one.

“What I would say is that NPT is the complete bedrock of policing still in West Yorkshire.”

Coun Berry, strategic recovery champion for Bradford and Airedale Drug Treatment and Recovery System, said there was a time when Bradford was “awash with methadone dependency that never seemed to end”.

“We need to try to raise support for the recovery service because of the life improvements that could be made with consistent support which is most effective.”

e-mail: dolores.cowburn@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Comments(23)

georget says...
10:03am Wed 23 Jan 13

When Will We Ever See Them?
When You Report Anything NO Ones Comes
25 Minutes Before Anyone Comes To You At The Police Desk
Hope This Guy Has Some Magic Wand
Nobody Else Has Had

RollandSmoke says...
11:26am Wed 23 Jan 13

As stated we now have major problems with legal highs, often much more dangerous than the illegal ones, as kids mistakenly think that the are doing the right thing by staying on the right side of the law. The stubborn attitude of David Cameron (an ex cannabis user) regarding reform of the drugs laws is helping no-one other than the dealers who continue to do a roaring trade and pushing their drugs on new users. The Police will continue to scratch the surface seizing about 1% of the drugs on the street. We need a new approach and time and time again the advice of scientist and medical professionals is ignored in favour of political posturing as the politicains strive to win votes by peddeling ignorance and prejudice at the expense of our children.

Albion. says...
11:55am Wed 23 Jan 13

What the public REALLY wants is more severe sentencing for ILLEGAL drug smugglers and dealers. Currently the deterrents are ineffective, as we see regularly when people continue to offend while on bail and awaiting sentence.
I applaud the efforts of the Bridge Project and hope that, one day more funding will be available for more such schemes. But it doesn't address the problem of the criminals or those who come on here with a legalisation agenda, born out by their membership of several societies dedicated to the legalisation of drugs.

RollandSmoke says...
12:07pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Albion. wrote:
What the public REALLY wants is more severe sentencing for ILLEGAL drug smugglers and dealers. Currently the deterrents are ineffective, as we see regularly when people continue to offend while on bail and awaiting sentence.
I applaud the efforts of the Bridge Project and hope that, one day more funding will be available for more such schemes. But it doesn't address the problem of the criminals or those who come on here with a legalisation agenda, born out by their membership of several societies dedicated to the legalisation of drugs.
Haven't we been trying to police drugs in this way for decades? In David Cameron's own words in 2005 "Politicians attempt to appeal to the lowest common denominator by posturing with tough policies and calling for crackdown after crackdown. Drugs policy has been failing for decades."
Are you the lowest common denominator he refers to?

collos25 says...
12:54pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Harsh sentences for any crime has never worked in reducing crime rates history proves that.I agree that dangerous criminals need removing from the street but drug dealers and users no amount of harsh sentencing will stop the problem.If you made them legal and easy to get at and cheap then you would cut crime of all descriptions overnight its worth a try because all other attempts have failed.

citizen smith says...
1:01pm Wed 23 Jan 13

ZERO TOLERANCE! That's the only way to even scratch the surface of the deep-rooted problems in this city. It's worked in other cities with problems far worse than Bradford, it just needs someone with the cojones to stand up and do it.

Outraged English Subject says...
1:04pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Albion. wrote:
What the public REALLY wants is more severe sentencing for ILLEGAL drug smugglers and dealers. Currently the deterrents are ineffective, as we see regularly when people continue to offend while on bail and awaiting sentence.
I applaud the efforts of the Bridge Project and hope that, one day more funding will be available for more such schemes. But it doesn't address the problem of the criminals or those who come on here with a legalisation agenda, born out by their membership of several societies dedicated to the legalisation of drugs.
This from a person who states he used illegal drugs for many years.

Outraged English Subject says...
1:11pm Wed 23 Jan 13

collos25 wrote:
Harsh sentences for any crime has never worked in reducing crime rates history proves that.I agree that dangerous criminals need removing from the street but drug dealers and users no amount of harsh sentencing will stop the problem.If you made them legal and easy to get at and cheap then you would cut crime of all descriptions overnight its worth a try because all other attempts have failed.
The only way forward, take it out of the hands of the dealers, once this is done properly manage it and education education education, and watch the user rate plummet.

Not so simple says...
1:54pm Wed 23 Jan 13

I know someone who attended a local neighbourhood forum. He mention that he and other neighbours reported a shooting a few years ago. The police turned up around 24hours later. They actually sent a PCSO to knockom his door. The guy was so shocked as we're his neighbours they moved!

The Police are not for for purpose. Sorry but that's the facts. They concentrate on speeding drivers and people on mobiles as they can cash in for the force and authority.

Catching drug dealers and other criminals is a chore for them.

They rely on the publics help to gather intelligence on crimes and criminals. They cannot use their own I initiative to actively pursue crime.

Crime and the fear of crime is soaring...yet the police are not fit for purpose.

The courts are also not fit for purpose.

The jail system is not fit for purpose.

Bring back the right to bare arms and watch the robberies and burglaries fall.

Not so simple says...
1:55pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Not so simple wrote:
I know someone who attended a local neighbourhood forum. He mention that he and other neighbours reported a shooting a few years ago. The police turned up around 24hours later. They actually sent a PCSO to knockom his door. The guy was so shocked as we're his neighbours they moved!

The Police are not for for purpose. Sorry but that's the facts. They concentrate on speeding drivers and people on mobiles as they can cash in for the force and authority.

Catching drug dealers and other criminals is a chore for them.

They rely on the publics help to gather intelligence on crimes and criminals. They cannot use their own I initiative to actively pursue crime.

Crime and the fear of crime is soaring...yet the police are not fit for purpose.

The courts are also not fit for purpose.

The jail system is not fit for purpose.

Bring back the right to bare arms and watch the robberies and burglaries fall.
These are observations. Yes they catch some criminals...many get away.

Not so simple says...
2:40pm Wed 23 Jan 13

By the way the police ain't recruiting for a while, they are actually considering lowering police numbers. They want to work more effectively and efficiently targeting specific areas and types of crime, question is what the effin hek have they been doing for all those years when job losses and efficiencies were not needed?

Each area should have its own resident police force...not part time police stations with rude counter staff...visit traffalgur and you will meet some rude snappy officers before the desk.

More police and less PCSOs.

I wish the police authorities speak to the serving officers as they will tell them some home truths...things are well messed up from top to bottom.

Remember the police are to maintain the peace and protect the public. Robberies,burglaries
,shootings,muggings, child grooming, drug dealing....list goes on that suggests that the police are failing to protect the public.

Rest my case.

RollandSmoke says...
2:59pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Not so simple wrote:
By the way the police ain't recruiting for a while, they are actually considering lowering police numbers. They want to work more effectively and efficiently targeting specific areas and types of crime, question is what the effin hek have they been doing for all those years when job losses and efficiencies were not needed?

Each area should have its own resident police force...not part time police stations with rude counter staff...visit traffalgur and you will meet some rude snappy officers before the desk.

More police and less PCSOs.

I wish the police authorities speak to the serving officers as they will tell them some home truths...things are well messed up from top to bottom.

Remember the police are to maintain the peace and protect the public. Robberies,burglaries

,shootings,muggings, child grooming, drug dealing....list goes on that suggests that the police are failing to protect the public.

Rest my case.
I would argue that the police should focus their energies on protecting people from others that do them harm rather than trying to protect them from themselves. Other countries have tried this approach to great success, notably Portugal.

http://blogs.telegra
ph.co.uk/news/tomchi
versscience/10013748
0/david-cameron-know
s-the-drug-laws-aren
t-working-his-failur
e-to-change-them-is-
simple-cowardice/

The police have no place in the treatment of health problems and their harrassment of those struggling with drugs problems is counterproductive.

Commonsensefirst says...
3:37pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Zero tolerance; imprisonment; deportation; expulsion.

RollandSmoke says...
3:40pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Commonsensefirst wrote:
Zero tolerance; imprisonment; deportation; expulsion.
fool

collos25 says...
4:16pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Bring back the right to bare arms and watch the robberies and burglaries fall.”

Really worked in America and all countries that have the right to bear arms.Typical fools solution.

Chillum Bantam says...
4:19pm Wed 23 Jan 13

No Common Sense there!

Not so simple says...
6:21pm Wed 23 Jan 13

RollandSmoke wrote:
Not so simple wrote:
By the way the police ain't recruiting for a while, they are actually considering lowering police numbers. They want to work more effectively and efficiently targeting specific areas and types of crime, question is what the effin hek have they been doing for all those years when job losses and efficiencies were not needed?

Each area should have its own resident police force...not part time police stations with rude counter staff...visit traffalgur and you will meet some rude snappy officers before the desk.

More police and less PCSOs.

I wish the police authorities speak to the serving officers as they will tell them some home truths...things are well messed up from top to bottom.

Remember the police are to maintain the peace and protect the public. Robberies,burglaries


,shootings,muggings, child grooming, drug dealing....list goes on that suggests that the police are failing to protect the public.

Rest my case.
I would argue that the police should focus their energies on protecting people from others that do them harm rather than trying to protect them from themselves. Other countries have tried this approach to great success, notably Portugal.

http://blogs.telegra

ph.co.uk/news/tomchi

versscience/10013748

0/david-cameron-know

s-the-drug-laws-aren

t-working-his-failur

e-to-change-them-is-

simple-cowardice/

The police have no place in the treatment of health problems and their harrassment of those struggling with drugs problems is counterproductive.
Agree

Not so simple says...
6:23pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Commonsensefirst wrote:
Zero tolerance; imprisonment; deportation; expulsion.
What an idiotic approach....Australi
a don't want no more cons! Besides they'll only have the desecendants be better at cricket and football...best to just lock them up under the courts.

However what about dealing with root causes of crime....it's much easier and in the long term very cost effective.

Not so simple says...
6:25pm Wed 23 Jan 13

collos25 wrote:
Bring back the right to bare arms and watch the robberies and burglaries fall.”

Really worked in America and all countries that have the right to bear arms.Typical fools solution.
So according to you it's better to leave criminals with guns and leave the law abiding citizens with no means of defence? What an idiotic approach. In the US studies show that illegal acts are done mainly by those keeping guns illegally. Less crime occurs if the victims can defend themselves.

watcher22 says...
9:58pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Zero tolerance is feasible.
It is not just the young ones, their parents commit carefree little offences and the rest just follow. The police rightly concentrate on some of the big crimes but the majority of ordinary folk have to put up with the mindless casual disregard for peace and quiet for the rest of us. At bus stops, in the interchange, around the puddle, in the side streets.
Pester the blighters until they get fed up of it and start to behave in a civilised manner.
We need more coppers on the street. Come on Cameron, give us the protection you get. Put your hand deep into your pocket and spend some money on the rest of us.

Not so simple says...
12:15am Thu 24 Jan 13

watcher22 wrote:
Zero tolerance is feasible.
It is not just the young ones, their parents commit carefree little offences and the rest just follow. The police rightly concentrate on some of the big crimes but the majority of ordinary folk have to put up with the mindless casual disregard for peace and quiet for the rest of us. At bus stops, in the interchange, around the puddle, in the side streets.
Pester the blighters until they get fed up of it and start to behave in a civilised manner.
We need more coppers on the street. Come on Cameron, give us the protection you get. Put your hand deep into your pocket and spend some money on the rest of us.
You mean Cameron come and spend our money on us!

BertSanders says...
3:00pm Thu 24 Jan 13

Drugs - important but self inflicted.
More effort should be applied to those who cause damage in cars - particularly those who do not insure them.

birday says...
7:45am Fri 25 Jan 13

Commonsensefirst wrote:
Zero tolerance; imprisonment; deportation; expulsion.
No no no .... give them free drugs, loads of them then we can all have a break from those who can't do the real world without drugs and the resulting behaviour which spoils the health and quality of so many lives. Definitely the quickest and cheapest option!
.
Also, please can we have drones operating in the sky over Bradford. Maybe the police will then be able to catch more than a cold.
.
We need the perpetrators of anti social behaviour caught and to do that the police need to increase their understanding of patterns of behaviour on our streets, profiles of those committing anti social behaviour and other crimes it etc. Drones would be a really useful tool.

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