I MUST disagree with Keith Hellawell’s moans about the police. In my dealings with the police as a councillor, member of the public and as a member of the police authority I have found that standards have risen.
Crime figures have been falling for the last 10 years. The police would accept that it is not all their doing; but a lot of it is. When I started on the council it was impossible to contact the neighbourhood police officer. But we now have a very accessible team of police backed up by Police Community Service Officers.
Keith Hellawell’s rant does a disservice to an organisation which in my opinion has improved in recent years, knows that it is not perfect but is working hard to provide a better public service.
Tony Woodhead
Lib Dem councillor for Lindley and Kirklees rep on the West Yorkshire Police Authority
