Another armed robbery in the High Street. Another violent raid on a cash machine in Halstead. MP Michael Fallon asks whether Sevenoaks is safe. Another armed robbery in the High Street. Another violent raid on a cash machine in Halstead. Yet government ministers tell us that crime is falling.
Some crime is falling. Burglary, for example, has fallen throughout West Kent. Good detective work, well-run Neighbourhood Watch schemes, the increase in the new Police Community Support Officers – seem to be making a difference.
But violent crime – assault against the person – is up. In fact, violent offences in the Sevenoaks District have more than doubled in six years, up from 443 offences in 2001-02 to 952 offences in 2006-07. That’s almost three violent offences every day.
I know that there are issues with recording these crimes. But the trend is clear. Violent crime is increasing. We’ve seen guns being brandished in our High Street.
I’ve always supported 24-hour armed police patrolling. Two or three cars cannot cover the whole county but it’s important that serious criminals know that armed police may be close by.
Better security is another priority. Too many building society premises have become too open-plan, almost welcoming robbers in to grab the cash. They need to rethink, to ensure that they are not putting their staff and the public at risk.
But beyond that, there’s more we can do. First, it’s up to parliament to pass laws that really do deter crime. The penalties for carrying guns and using violence need to be tougher. Second, judges and magistrates shouldn’t be deterred from sending violent offenders to prison because there aren’t enough prison places. The government needs to build more prisons – and also ensure that they’re not cluttered up with foreign prisoners. Prison doesn’t always work but the government must protect the public: the prison-building programme simply hasn’t kept pace with the increase in violent crime.
Finally, we do need to see more officers out in West Kent. It’s no use being told that we’re fortunate to live in one of the safer districts in the county. We pay through our council tax for full protection, not just to be safer than Dartford or Gravesham.
That’s why I’ve asked successive chief constables to get more officers out of HQ and into the areas. Kent Police can’t be expected to patrol every street but the officers I speak to tell me that the thin blue line is being stretched ever thinner. A serious late night incident in Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells means fewer officers available in Sevenoaks.
I have the utmost admiration for the men and women officers of Kent Police. They face danger every day and night in an increasingly violent society. They need more support.
