Ken Wyatt breaks cover

“I would urge voters to be cautious when considering the many promises being made by candidates who do not understand policing. Let me give you some examples:

Robert Teal now says he wants to increase ‘bobbies on the beat’ to 90% of the police staff rather than the current target of 70%. Putting to one side the fact that this may be crossing the boundary into the Chief Constable’s operational control; what he does NOT say is where he proposes to make cuts in order to achieve this. At a time when some forces are increasing resources to deal with child grooming, for instance, it would appear that Mr Teal intends to significantly reduce specialist departments.

Shaun Wright says he would ensure all complainants of anti-social behaviour get a response within twenty four hours. What’s the point of visiting someone at 4pm who has phoned to report an isolated incident of drunken behaviour outside their house at 2am? What a total waste of an officer’s valuable time. Likewise, it would be pointless people phoning the police about a burglary the day after bonfire night or Halloween – hard-pressed officers will all be spending the day meeting Mr Wright’s meaningless and rigid target!

Jonathan Arnott says he’ll have police stations open 24 hours a day. Well, as a resident I can assure voters that I would not wish to see valuable police or civilian staff sitting in an empty police station at four in the morning. If I need the police at that time I want them to come to me.

Another concern is this. Whose ideas are these? Have candidates already fully consulted or are they, even now, before having been elected, pursuing their own ill-thought-through whims? Of course it could just be shallow and meaningless rhetoric to win votes.

When you hear any of these promises, I would ask that you please just carefully think about them.

Policing is a serious and complex business. You are appointing someone who will affect lives.

I am standing as your PCC because I want to play my role in making South Yorkshire safer. I have an abundance of knowledge and experience of what works and can therefore, with credibility, pursue the type of policing the public wants. I will not be entering any competition of attractive (and potentially dangerous) ideas.”

Nigel Bonson

Nigel Bonson website

PCC Hustings- Questions being stage managed?

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Rik

Dear Rotherham Politics readers,

I have just been given this outrageous, but hardly surprising, piece of news from “my inside correspondent” that South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner candidates have tried to introduce the following two questions into the debate to be held at New York Stadium on 8 November.

1. The Hillsborough Enquiry.

2. The Rotherham Child Sexual Exploitation scandal.

And heyho, twang my bra-strap, guess what a surprise … they’ve been told “NO”. So we look like having another contrived and stage-managed event of a beauty contest.

This of course may not be in the least little bit disappointing to our Rovrum Laybah candidate, Shaun Da Sheep. Remember, he was RMBC Cabinet Member for Childrens’ & Young Peoples’ Services, and came in way over C&YPS budget during his stewardship by some millions of pounds.

All this begs the questions –

a – just what have they got to hide

b – just who are they intent on protecting

c – and more importantly and worryingly why?

This may yet develop into something at least as large as another high-profile sexual exploitation scandal that is growing just like Topsy.

Yours in abject disappointment,
Grald-Hunter

Get your (free) ticket here.

A question for Cllr Emma Hoddinott.

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Rik

What role did you play in stopping Labour Councillors from speaking out regarding the crime of grooming and abusing children here in Rotherham?

The reason I ask the question is that the Manchester Evening Post, 24 October 2012 carried on its front page an article that nine men would be appearing in court on allegations relating to child abuse.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1591932_revealed-police-investigating-three-more-child-grooming-cases-in-greater-manchester

The nine men who were charged yesterday in connection with the latest Rochdale grooming investigation are:

Freddy Kendakumana, 26, of Illminster, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of rape, attempted rape and four counts of sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 7 November 2012.
Roheez Khan, 26, of Ashfield Road, Rochdale has been charged with ten counts of sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on the 8 November 2012.
Chola Chansa, 32, of Illminster, Rochdale has been charged with two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 9 November 2012.
Anjam Masood, 30, of Marne Crescent, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity and inciting sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 21 November 2012.
Asrar Haider, 38, of Chamber House Drive, Castleton, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity and inciting sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 21 November 2012.
Ali Asghar Hussain Shah, 39, of Lyefield Walk, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity and inciting sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 22 November 2012.
Abdul Huk, 36, of Ouldfield Close, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 23 November 2012.
Mohammed Rafiq, 31, of Allington, Freehold, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity and inciting sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2012.
Mohammed Ali, 27, of Exbury, Rochdale has been charged with sexual activity with a child under 16. He has been bailed to appear at Bury Magistrates’ Court on 6 December 2012.

Greater Manchester Police now have 400 officers working on child abuse cases involving individuals and gangs; they make reference to the issue of raising awareness within the community something that is still missing from any high profile public awareness campaign in Rotherham.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division, said: “There are currently a number of child sexual exploitation investigations under way across the force, which range from individuals up to large groups of offenders that are loosely connected to each other.

“Some of these investigations have arisen from historic allegations and some are based on new complaints.

“We now have a much better understanding of the signs to look for, plus there have been significant improvements in the sharing of information between agencies. Also, the widespread publicity surrounding recent cases has ensured that victims, witnesses, carers and the wider community are much more alive now to the threat.

The Barnado’s research based report Puppet on a string places a great emphasis on parental and public awareness, yet RMBC continues with their wall of silence.

So Cllr Hoddinott what have you got to say on your efforts to silence fellow Councillors?

Cerberus

Barnardo’s Report – Everyone Needs To Read It!

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Rik

Barnardo’s, the children’s charity, have released their report on child sexual exploitation:

Puppet on a string,

pdf file, should open in your browser, you can save a copy too. To return, use your browsers back button.

This report should be widely read and it’s lessons, heeded.

John Wesley’s Sound Advice

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Rik

Dear Rotherham Politics readers,

I just came across this most interesting item relating to the amazing John Wesley on 6 October 1774 and thought just how topical this is in the context of the forthcoming PCC elections. His items of advice are thus –

1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy.

2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against.

3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.

And then I thought to myself, I wonder just how many of the RMBC Corn Fed Grunters, Muppets and Clowns could honestly say that when they voted for Shaun Da Sheep as Rovrum Laybah candidate for South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner that they honestly judged him as the most worthy?

I certainly know from my THT Agents “Garbo” and “ZigZag” that the Corn Fed Grunters, Muppets and Clowns regularly bad-mouth Da Sheep behind his woolly back, so he’s failed on point 2 as well.

Ah well, we’ll get our chance to decide soon, and then active and empowered citizens can sit back and enjoy scrutinising whoever manages to scrape the bottom of the barrel with their votes.

Kind Regards,
Grald-Hunter

Shaun Wright – Makes Private Eye!

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Rik

Rothpol could not resist bringing readers the good news, which just dropped through my letter box!

Put this way, it seems incredible that Labour selected this incompetent oaf, as their candidate for South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner! It must have been a case of Roger knows best!

Nominations don’t close until Friday, there’s still time for Labour to do something about this simply outrageous situation.

Crompton vs Select Committee – Unconvincing.

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Rik

Poor performance in lots of ways!

The link to the select committee:
http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=11516&wfs=true

Today’s House of Commons Select Committee, Tuesday 16 October 2012 saw the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police David Crompton and DCI Philip Etheridge give evidence on the issue of child grooming here in Rotherham.

The committee started its proceedings at 14.47 with the section regarding grooming starting about 15.20/21; it makes for some very disturbing viewing especially when the committee question DCI Philip Etheridge on the number of prosecutions, a very poor performance by both officers.

The Chair Keith Vaz asks some very pertinent questions relating to an incident on Fitzwilliam Road Rotherham and raises the activity of three male members from one Pakistani family from Rotherham.
It appears that the three individuals are still at large, let’s hope they are not driving a Private Hire Vehicle or a Hackney Taxi here in Rotherham or anywhere else for that matter.

What is apparent has been the lack of police resources to address these crimes let’s see what happens going forward that is unless our old friend community cohesion gets in the way and Cllr Hoddinott stops individuals from speaking out!

Has Roger Stone had his invite to go and have a word with the committee?

Cerberus.

Shaun Wright – being as transparent as mud?

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Rik

RikiLeaks received this rather interesting email, seems Shaun Wright was being economical with the truth when responding to Don Buxton’s recent enquiries. Time for the truth from Shaun Wright!:

“Cllr Shaun Wright has missed the point and failed to disclose his funding declaration for his selection as Labour PCC. The deadline to submit declarations to the Electoral Commission had expired for the selection campaign some time ago. I understand he is now being investigated by the Electoral Commission in relation to this matter.

I think Cllr Wright has tried to hide the truth and confuse matters as his reply to Don is regarding his current election declarations which is a completely different unrelated matter and does not require disclosure until after 12.11.12.

The question Cllr Wright needs to answer, is he being investigated by the electoral Commission for his selection for PCC campaign YES or NO will suffice. What has he got to hide!!!!

If anyone cannot attend the hustings then you can submit your question for the candidate to answer by clicking on the below link- if enough people ask him the question re Electoral Commission investigation then he will need to answer it at the event.”

www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCF-Hustings4PCC

Rothpol is grateful to this public spirited citizen for bringing this to our attention.