Sshhhhh, can you hear it?………………….Neither can I.
That is EXACTLY the reaction to my survey, and its results.
I have received a few comments, both public and private, from my readers, and I’ve been amazed, and occasionally humbled, by the support I have had from some of my non-Police readers, the main protagonists will know who you are and I sincerely thank you.
I have forwarded a copy of the results to the Home Office, HMIC, various politicians, Boris and his Deputy, the Association of PCCs, various offices of the Police Federation inc Head Office, an assortment of journalists, newspapers and News Channels, Trade Unions, Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
SILENCE
Many on that list are not subject to the ‘rules’ of Purdah (See Cate Moore’s excellent piece Purdah (she wrote)). Almost all are at Liberty to communicate with me privately.
SILENCE
Everybody on that list, when ‘off duty’ is a citizen, and as such will require and depend upon the Police at some time. It is no use waiting until it’s too late, the time to speak out is NOW. One of our colleagues is currently busy pointing out that cuts to Policing form no part of any party’s pre-election agenda.
SILENCE
Indeed, the reverse is true. Some people following a Slash and Burn Policy are only too quick to blame the Police when things go ‘wrong’. Who was it who tried to short-cut the system in an attempt to get a ‘Rave’ closed down, then complain when it wasn’t?
@DCCGilesYork @KatyBourne @Sussexpcc Can u help? MT @prbod illegal rave continuing at Devils Dyke & disturbing peace of South Downs villages
— Nick Herbert (@nickherbertmp) May 25, 2014
Amusingly, this attracted an appropriate response;
@KatyBourne @CoPaCC @OPinkney @CInspPipTaylor @nickherbertmp @prbod New system alert! MofP tweets MP & #PCC who tweet #police #operational ?
— Tom Lloyd (@TomCLloyd) May 25, 2014
We are in a period of Purdah, it’s Easter Weekend but the facts speak for themselves. Much less than half of the people who read my original blog completed the survey for me. As at now, approx 500 people have viewed the results of the survey. It has been forwarded to the list above and what was the result of all that?
SILENCE
If nothing else Journalists and Newsdesks do not sleep. If they felt that there was a newsworthy story to be followed they would be all over it, Bank Holiday or not. So what do I read into their SILENCE? They clearly think that there’s no story there. I can be Twatted, emailed, comment left on blog – SILENCE.
The number of people here, and on Twatter, who regularly engage can definitely be measured in double figures. From the rest – SILENCE.
The solution seems simple, stop banging head on brick wall, and stop annoying folk.
Camoron, May, Hogan-Who, Milky Bar Kid et al can all relax.
The Quill rests