Dear Editor
After reading the Northern Echo I would like to make one or two points on the article “Fight goes on as figures reveal reduction in crime”.
Woodham, Shafto St. Marys and Greenfield Wards have a reduction in anti-social, behaviour of 40 and 42 per-cent respectively, crime fell by 19 and 24 per-cent in Greenfield, and Middridge, crime fell by 38 per-cent and anti social behaviour fell by 26 per-cent.
All these wards have their own police officers yet the West Ward have not had a police officer for over three years! I keep requesting one and previous chief inspector said we would have a dedicated officer in July 2012.
At the meeting on the new police station in Newton Aycliffe at St Mary’s Church I again requested a police officer for the West Ward and was informed by Inspector Mark Hall that a police officer had been appointed for the West Ward. To date I have seen no evidence of that appointment. On the 3rd January 2013 at the West Ward pact meeting every one there supported the request.
On my Council Tax bill I pay £102 per year to the Police budget and so will every one that lives in the West Ward which has over 5793 houses. Multiply that by three years, and we need to ask if we are getting value for money. I for one and also the public that attend the meetings do not think so!
We have problems of crime and anti-social behaviour in the West Ward and we would like to boast the same reductions as other wards.
George Gray
Independent Councillor
West Ward
