Police merger proposal for Driffield scrapped

Driffield ward Councillors Temple, Fraser and Owen were delighted at the news today that Humberside Police had apparently backed down over plans to amalgamate night cover between Driffield and Hornsea areas.

 

Councillor Felicity Temple stated, ‘I am pleased that common sense has prevailed. We were right to highlight the concerns of residents in the Driffield and Hornsea areas and if this proposal re-emerges we will do so again. The police should be in no doubt about the strength of feeling and support for our local police teams.’

 

Councillor Symon Fraser added, ’The idea of a single police presence covering 350 square miles or nearly a third of the police authority area was ludicrous. The residents of Driffield and the rural villages have a right to expect equitable police protection, and our rural police “bobbies” also have a right to expect to cover an area where they can provide an effective force against crime ’

 

Councillor Jonathan Owen stated, ‘Following discussion with our colleague, Cllr. Graham Stroud, who is the Chairman of the Police Authority, Cllr. Stroud discussed our concerns with the chief constable and has re-assured us that following intervention the decision had been scrapped.’

 

Cllr. Owen added ‘We realise that the Police Authority have no say over day to day operational issues but Cllr. Stroud’s close contact with the Chief Constable allowed the issue to be raised at the highest level and we are pleased with the outcome for all the residents we represent and respect the police authorities attempts to provide adequate cover in our predominantly rural area.’

21st November 2005