I WRITE to provide some reassurance to our black and racial minority communities, with regard to the Daily Post story entitled, "Moves to slash red tape" (September 18).
We concur that the Police Service should be efficient in the use of resources and in principle, and support moves to ensure this. However, it is important to realise why the "stop and account" form was introduced in the first place. The McPherson report was the outcome of the Public Inquiry into the botched murder investigation of Stephen Lawrence. McPherson did not just have ramifications for the Police, it highlighted the societal problem of "institutional racism" and resultant legislation extended to apply beyond just the Police Service.
Recommendation 61 of McPherson states: "That the Home Secretary, in consultation with Police Services, should ensure that a record is made by police officers of all ‘stops’ and ‘stops and searches’ made under any legislative provision (not just the Police and Criminal Evidence Act). Non-statutory or so called ‘voluntary’ stops must also be recorded. The record to include the reason for the stop, the outcome, and the self-defined ethnic identity of the person stopped. A copy of the record shall be given to the person stopped."
Maximising the use of modern technology will make us more effective, but only if those expected to use it are properly trained. The current system being proposed is that ethnicity details will be radioed to a control room, as opposed to being written down by the officer on the street. It is therefore imperative those receiving this information understand the importance of why this is being done and are trained and supported.
We have no issues with the current form being removed from use, provided colleagues are supported to implement whatever replaces it and the new process must reflect the above recommendation and ensure Merseyside Police is able to honour it’s statutory monitoring obligations as per the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
Vinny Tomlinson, Chair, Merseyside Black Police Association
Cauldron of woe
WHATEVER comes at the end of the party conference season, the dilemmas that haunt Gordon Brown and his MPs and ministers remain.
Those Labour MPs who want to hold onto their jobs for as long as possible would be wise to keep their heads down and pray that things improve over the next 18 months.
No doubt the Prime Minister is reaping the whirlwind of his own legacy from his Chancellor days, but who in the Government would be crazy enough to want to take over not just a poisoned chalice, but what is the biggest cauldron of social and economic woes seen for decades, if he were to be knocked off his perch?
As his new-found empire begins to crumble and the baying pack outside his door continues to grow in number, Mr Brown might decide to call a snap general election and have the satisfaction of taking some, if not all, of those ungrateful rebels with him when he bites the dust.
I suppose the way things are, a few thousand acres of sheep farm in the tranquillity of the Highlands must beat hanging around in Downing Street and being called the "worst Prime Minister in 70 years", hands down.
And, as for David Cameron and the Tories, a landslide victory may be good for those further down the ranks but, as they say, even a miracle worker needs at least water if wine is to be produced.
What a fix a Tory government will be in when, thanks to Gordon Brown, even the bottom of the Treasury’s barrel is not there for them to scrape.
Rennie Ku, L8
No laughing matter
I HAVE heard on several television programmes over the past few days, programmes that bill themselves as comedies, certain commentators musing that few people will feel sorry for the bankers who have lost their jobs due to the ongoing market meltdown.
While I am sure there will be bankers taking home their P45s for whom the resultant loss of pay might only mean that they will only buy one Bentley at Christmas, not two, I think it is important for people to remember that among those job losses will be many ancillary workers, support staff, secretaries and the likes who do not earn the big bucks.
Those people will be struggling to pay bills like anyone else who suddenly finds themselves out of work. Making jokes out of this situation is not big or clever, it is not even funny. Instead of using this current mess as material for their stand-up routines, I think certain people should just be thinking "there but for the grace of God". I know I am.
Mrs S Molloy, St Helens
System failure
THE domino collapse of huge financial institutions continues, and once again the capitalist system has shown itself to be a brewery run by alcoholics. Shares have tumbled and the only thing not to have dropped is the penny.
When it does, we will realise that a socialist system underpinned by an inclusive democratic structure will better serve the interests of all of the people all of the time.
B Pritchard, Chester
Non-event
CLLR PHIL MOFFATT is a member of the board for the Mer- seyside Waste Disposal Authority (MWDA) and assistant executive member on LCC environment. He knows he has privileged information, and also knows that the majority of board members are indeed Liberal-Democrats and not Labour members. He also knows that any decision/ proposal for an incinerator for Gillmoss is in their hands when it comes to voting for or against.
A two-day public presentation event has taken place this week in Croxteth ward, for plans for the Gillmoss Transfer station to instal an MRF for recycling, and no burner is connected to that application. If approved, this will fill up the site and certainly make it far too small for any such burner of any kind, incinerator or not.
The community is concerned and has asked my advice on building a campaign against such an incinerator in the area but, until MWDA tell the full story, we are at a loss as to why Cllr Moffatt incites the people of Croxteth to oppose a non-application for a non- proposed incinerator in our area.
Cllr Rose Bailey, via email
I’m a believer
I DIDN’T expect that my letter of September 16, regarding Church leadership, would interest someone like your correspondent PR Jones (Letters, September 18) who’s "glad to be an atheist".
After mocking prayer and questioning God’s powers, PR Jones asserts confidently "nothing lasts forever". Atheists replace "God" with "nothing". Nothing made everything. Nothing turned non-living materials into life. We’re accountable to nothing. Nothing really matters. Nothing will last. Nothing will save you. Nothing will rid the world from evil and bring justice. Nothing has power and authority over you. Nothing prevails. Nothing lasts forever. Nothing can help you change the way you are. I say what a depressing way to view the world. Glad to be a believer.
David Thomas, Hoylake
