Council boss slams decision as police ring changes and remove town's dedicated officer

By Paddock Wood Courier | Friday, January 06, 2012, 08:00

THE chairman of Cranbrook Parish Council has criticised a decision to remove the town's dedicated police officer.

CHANGE: PC David Hulme

PC David Hulme has been a familiar face in the town since 2001.

But changes mean he is now part of a group of officers, called a Neighbourhood Task Team, covering the entire area of Weald and will be in Cranbrook only as and when needed.

Weekly surgeries have been scrapped, in favour of meetings every five weeks.

Chairman of Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Parish Council Peter North said: "We have had one constable who was doing the job for years and very good at it.

"One of the benefits of covering the same town is that you get to know the local people and build up sources that way so when there is trouble, it is easier to deal with. So there will be a move away from that unfortunately."

A Kent Police spokesman said the changes had been brought in during November, adding: "PC Hulme is now one of five officers responsible for the eastern sector of Tunbridge Wells."

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Comments

Of course he will obviously know all the villians etc on the eastern sector of Tunbridge Wells, won't he? He will know which local vehicles should be where at a certain time won't he?
It seems that if a man is doing a good job and is happy doing it he is treated with the suspicion that he has to be up to no good and therefore should be moved. Local knowledge is indispensible.

http://tinyurl.com/3rdlqx3

By tedthedog at 12:46 on 30/01/12
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