Express & Star comment: Our legal system in dire state
Just when you thought the state of policing in the West Midlands could not get any worse, another catastrophe looms large.
The news that up to 500 officers could go after the force was hit with a pensions bill of more than £20 million is simply incredible.
Does the Home Office have absolutely no idea what is happening on the streets of the West Midlands?
Crime is surging, and violent crime is particularly rampant.
There have been 13 people stabbed to death in the region this year, and countless other violent incidents that have either led to a loss of life or serious injury.
Clearly, in any sane society, what is needed is more officers of the law, more protection for the public, and stiffer prison sentences to deter people from getting involved in criminal activity – particularly young men.
Instead, we have got yet more tugging on the purse strings to make the job of Chief Constable Dave Thompson increasingly difficult.
This is absolutely appalling and will make many law-abiding citizens weep for the dire state of the legal system in this country under the current Conservative administration.
Make no mistake, the real cost of removing 500 officers from our streets will be far higher than the number-crunchers at the Treasury will have calculated.
There will be more cars stolen, more sexual assaults, more homes burgled, more robberies and more cases of child abuse.
There will be more cases of human trafficking going undetected, more drug dealers on our streets and violent crime will continue to soar.
The working conditions for our incredibly hard-working police officers – who are already under considerable pressure – will become unbearable.
Meanwhile, Theresa May remains consumed by Brexit plans that she has not a hope in hell of getting past her own party, let alone the House of Commons or the European Union.
It is about time that the Government started to take the issue of law and order seriously and realised the devastating impact that crime is having in our communities.
Mrs May would be wise to remember that when it comes to the next General Election, Brexit won’t be the only issue that gets the attention of voters.
