Dear Chief Constable,
Jesmond lives matter ..every second counts
Further to my receipt of the Freedom of Information request on 10 June 2023 which detailed the Impact Assessment of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) I was dumbfounded to read that following a meeting between the Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police on 19 June 2023 (no manes given in the Press as to who attended) that the LTN will stay in place with NO alterations to it to take into account the FIVE area of concern outlined in your FOI.
The reasons given ……’that Northumbria Police are committed to reducing injuries on our roads and the LTN can play an important in this role ….’
‘the purpose of the trial is to create a cleaner, greener neighbourhood and to encourage more people to walk and cycle on local journeys …..’
The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke recently spoke about his new role and vision for the policing service on Radio 4’s Today programme . He said that confidence in policing was ‘hanging by a thread’….I quoted that to you Chief Constable in my handwritten letter to you saying mine was too!!! That thread is now broken into a million pieces.
Andy Cooke also said, and I think these were wise words ……’that the police should be tackling daily crime as most people wanted them to focus on’ ….Andy Cooke above all ‘urged police to saty out of political matters’.
Andy Cooke also spoke passionately of the importance of LOCAL engagement and discussion with neighbourhoods as the way forward to re establish TRUST with local communities.
Can I ask you Chief Constable how the LTN supports any of the visions of Andy Cooke for Northumbria Police Service? The LTN DELIBERATELY OBSTRUCTS the ability of Northumbria Police to perform its duties for me as a resident of Jesmond to protect me from crime. Your FOI told me that in no uncertain terms, remember the FIVE areas of concern?
I sent a recorded delivery letter to your Inspector with responsibility for policy implementation following receipt of the FOI requesting a meeting with him to discuss the FOI contents. So far SILENCE, no response to me a member of the Jesmond community for 43 years yet an immediate response and meeting with the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council. One rule for them and another one for me and Jesmond.
I call on you now to review your decision to sell out the people of Jesmond to political demands. I pay for a FIRST CLASS Police service in Jesmond NOT A SECOND CLASS/ SECOND RATE service which you now deliver as you acknowledged in the FOI.
‘Our vision is to deliver an outstanding police service; working with communities to prevent crime and disorder and protect the most vulnerable people from harm’
PROVE IT I SAY!
Do JESMOND LIVES MATTER to Northumbria Police? At the moment I say NO.
Yours,
Pat Roycroft
Update 9.10.23
Pat Roycroft continues to feel let down by Northumbria Police. She feels that ethical issues around the seven Nolan principles are “non-existent” and she writes in an open letter, again to the Chief Constable:
“I accuse YOU Chief Constable of dereliction of your duty to Jesmond residents.
I call on you to offer a FULL and PROFOUND APOLOGY to Jesmond residents for the disgraceful manner in which they have been treat by you Chief Constable and Northumbria Police Service.”
