Whistleblower reveals plan to cut police numbers in Herne Bay and Whitstable
Exclusive by Gerry
Warren
A whistleblower has revealed
controversial plans to significantly cut the number of police
officers based at Herne Bay who cover the coastal towns to
'scarily' low levels.
Now the police area commander, Ch
Supt John Molloy has been forced to admit he is considering taking
away staff to bolster policing in Canterbury and Thanet where, he
says, the need is greater.
The details have emerged in an
anonymous letter believed to be from a Herne Bay-based officer or
civilian who claims the proposal is to take away 17 patrol officers
by cutting the existing five teams of five down to four teams of
two.
He or she also claims the plans go
further by having no officers working from Herne Bay after 2am.
The letters says: "I am concerned
somebody is going to get hurt due to these proposed cuts. Crime in
the early hours will increase.
"I am stunned by the senior
management's view that the coastal area is a sleepy backwater with
hardly any crime."
But Ch Supt Molloy says he is
having to consider re-balancing his resources to deploy officers
where they are most needed. He said extra patrol officers could be
drafted in when needed.
- For the full story and
reaction pick up a copy of Thursday's Whitstable Gazette or
Herne Bay Gazette.
Read more news from Canterbury
Whitstable, Herne Bay and Faversham at the Kentish Gazette website >>>
Wednesday, July 01 2009