MP Bob's night shift with Police
September 12, 2008 12:00 AM
Bob Russell with local Special Constabulary Superintendent
Colchester MP Bob Russell spent eight hours from Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday morning with the Police as they toured the town centre and surrounding areas.
Afterwards Mr Russell, who serves on the Home Affairs Select Committee which has an oversight of Police matters, said that he was very impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the Police Officers whom he had met - most of whom were volunteer members of the Special Constabulary.
"They are unpaid and give up a lot of their time voluntarily to help the regular Police. Indeed, they are an increasingly important part of policing in Colchester as I again witnessed at first hand over the weekend. Quite starkly, without them then the policing of our town at critical periods like weekends would be seriously reduced."
Mr Russell said that the vast majority of people out for the evening, mostly young, were well behaved - but a significant minority drank to excess with consequences ranging from personal distress to anti-social behaviour including fighting. "As ever, it is the few who spoil things for the majority."
He added: "Every incident we were called to involved drinking. Why people waste their money getting legless or aggressive is something I will never understand. Have a drink or two, enjoy yourselves, but what is to be gained from getting drunk with the consequences which often results?"
Mr Russell said that in his view the town already had more than enough late night drinking establishments and he hoped that there would be no more.
Commenting on the cost to the public purse of what is often called "the night-time economy", he said: "I support a levy on drinks to pay for the additional costs incurred - not just Police but also Ambulances and Hospital services plus street cleaning."
Liberal Democrat Mr Russell is a graduate of the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme. He has in the past accompanied Police on late-night patrols and at other times.
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