Manifesto of Louise Bours – UKIP Cheshire’s candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner
October 12, 2012 23 CommentsAs we have posted earlier Louise Bours has been selected as the Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for UKIP in Cheshire. Please click on the download link below to download the full manifest – but the key principles are:
1. Reconnecting policing with local communities
2. Encourage and enhance community partnerships
3. Zero tolerance, ‘broken windows’ approach to criminal behaviour
4. Maintaining an effective and well supported police service
5. Putting victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system
Tough on crime – a zero tolerance approach to low level crime and anti social behaviour
Encourage the use of more ‘special constables’ rather than Police Community Support Officers
Listen to, and encourage input from the local community through regular meetings and surgeries
Hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the electorate
Get more police officers back on the beat in our area
Work with Councils and community groups to provide more positive activities for young people to prevent them turning to crime
Provide simple security measures (such as shock alarms on windows for over-80s) to make elderly people’s houses harder to burgle and give them a feeling of safety
Work alongside victims and witnesses to ensure they have a voice and extend the use of restorative justice
Actively encourage and campaign for more stringent sentencing for criminals
Download by clicking on the download link below
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[...] Arnold Liberal DemocratLouise Bours UKIPJohn Dwyer ConservativeSarah Flannery IndependentJohn Stockton [...]
[...] to run for the police commissioner job in Greater Manchester.CheshireAinsley Arnold Liberal DemocratLouise Bours UKIPJohn Dwyer ConservativeSarah Flannery IndependentJohn Stockton LabourClevelandSultan Alam [...]
Hi
Do you support the wide area use of 20mph speed limits on residential roads and what is you attitude to Cheshire police playing a role with other agencies in maximising compliance?
Rod King
Hello Rod
I do support the use of 20mph speed limits outside schools and in residential areas. Limited use of speed cameras is effective, however, I do not agree with the use of speed cameras on dual carriageways etc, I think this is nothing more than a revenue raising exercise – another tax for the motorist. The Police Commissioner role is all about collaboration and communication – utilising our partnerships with other agencies is an effective and resourceful way of upholding the speed limits we apply. I have two young daughter, aged 8 and 10, and as a Mum, a 20mph limit would certainly reassure me.
If you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Louise Bours.
So, how would you enforce speed limits on dual carriageways without speed cameras?
What evidence do you have that speed cameras are a revenue raising exercise?
Which ones in Cheshire are you concerned about?
Is there a surplus in the Cheshire speed cameras?
What benefit do you attribute to speeding courses?
Surely if speeding fines were a tax then it is the easiest tax there is to avoid?
Do you condone driving faster than the speed limit?
All important questions to answer if you seek to be in a position of influence on policing!
I look forward to your answers.
Dear Rod
Speed on our roads is something that is obviously very important to you. I can reassure you that I do not condone driving faster than the speed limit – just because I do not view speed cameras as the answer to our prayers, does not in anyway mean I do not follow the law of our highway. I have no points on my driving licence, and intend to keep it that way.
I think it is naive to assume that speed cameras catch our most reckless drivers – I don’t believe this to be so – sat nav systems warn people of approaching cameras, they slow down appropriately and then immediately accelerate when they have passed them by. Anyone who drives on the road has been witness to this.
Some cameras do work – one example is Park Lane, Congleton. After a particularly awful accident, one was put into place, speed has reduced considerably as a result. Others are placed around corners, in bushes, this I think is an accident risk in itself – a particularly badly example is just outside of Alsager.
I have made my position clear, I support the 20′s plenty campaign, I would like to see 20mph speed limits outside schools and in residential areas.
You mention speed awareness courses, I think they can work; although, surely a persistent ‘speeder’ would take the course as opposed to take the points? Would his behaviour change? I think probably not.
Speed cameras are a contentious issue – you either think they work, or you don’t. From the questions and comments I have received from members of the public, there certainly seems to be a fifty fifty split – I would listen to opinions from both sides, view evidence and then make informed decisions about anything to do with road safety – just like my fellow candidates, I have not been a ‘road safety officer’, so advice and evidence would need to be studied to comment any further.
Kindest regards, Louise Bours.
Louise
You have made two statements:-
1.) however, I do not agree with the use of speed cameras on dual carriageways etc,
2.) I think this is nothing more than a revenue raising exercise – another tax for the motorist.
I have asked for the basis of these beliefs.
You said that you would “view evidence and make informed decisions”
Can you please provide the evidence you are using for your statements as it seems you are in favour of speed limits but not enforcing them!
Thanks
Surely Louise’ point about SatNavs covers your first point – and if, as Louise asserts they are not that effective then is point 2 not also covered?
Jim
Well Louise’s first point only said that they do not catch “our most reckless” drivers. This does not mean that speed cameras are of no use.
Surely if one believes that they are not effective then there is minimum revenue. In such circumstances how can they be a “revenue raising exercise”.
It seems that her comments are therefore contradictory.
Louise has not answered my question regarding what she would suggest using instead of speed cameras.
If you are answering “on her behalf” can it be made clear as to whether these are your personal views, and if so who you are, or hers.
Many thanks
Rod King
My answer was MY answer – not Louise’s. I am not answering on her behalf – merely stating my views (I am entitled to do that I believe?)
You are of course entitled to your views. I had presumed that the name “admin” was indicating some connection with Louise’s campaign.
But if they are your views and not Louise’s then I look forward to hearing her answers.
In the meantime it would be useful to know “who” you are and what your role is in Louise’s campaign.
Best regards
Rod King
I would love to know who Rodney is and what is his role in life.
Dear Geoff
Personally I come from the “Roderick” line of abreviations to “Rod”. Which just goes to show that its important not to jump to misinformed conclusions.
Rod
I am merely the website administrator and am also a supporter of Louise Bours – firmly believe she is the best candidate after attending the Chester University hustings.
Dear “admin”
Well I am still trying to find out if Louise supports 20mph as the default for all residential roads with exceptions decided by the local traffic authority and what her opinion is of the correct police involvement regarding enforcement on roads.
Once I have that opinion then I will be in a position to understand whether her approach is compatible with the 70% of people (including drivers) who see 20mph as the correct speed limit for residential roads.
I look forward to hearing from her.
Rod King
Rodney your being a rodney again as the answer has been given a number of times.
Lousie has said that :-
1)She supports 20mph limits as the default for residential streets.
2)She has zero tolerance towards breaking speed limits.
3)She has limited faith in speed cameras.
What I have been asking is how she would suggest handling enforcement of 20mph limits.
Its not a “catch question”.
Rod
Louise did state in her comments above: “I have made my position clear, I support the 20′s plenty campaign, I would like to see 20mph speed limits outside schools and in residential areas.”. She stated this twice and yet you still keep asking the question?
Jim
Great. So Louise supports 20mph speed limits as the default for residential roads with exceptions decided by the local traffic authority.
I am pleased to hear this. But I am still troubled by her comments about enforcement. You will be aware that “setting speed limits” is a Local Authority and NOT a police responsibility. However enforcement is a police and NOT a local authority responsibility.
Hence as PCC will she support enforcement of speed limits? That is the key question. However her suggestions regarding speed cameras being concerned with revenue generation and a “tax on the motorist” seem to contradict her views that they don’t work.
If she has a “zero tolerance” of broken windows, does she equally have a “zero tolerance” of unlawful speeding and what mechanisms will she use to enforce it?
I look forward to Louise’s answer.
Regards
Rod King
Hello Rod
Simple answer, I would have a zero tolerance approach to all activities that would contravene either the law of our roads, or the laws that govern how we live within our communities. Those structures and the legal framework they represent, are there for the protection of us all.
I would at this point like to underline the fact that the police commissioner will have absolutely no control over operational policing matters whatsoever. Those decisions will lie squarely on the shoulders of the Chief Constable. If you have any further comments about how the law should be implemented, it may be of more use contacting him directly.
Louise Bours.
Thanks Louise. Its great to hear that you have no tolerance for drivers who exceed speed limits. I think that this is a very clear statement and look forward to you being able to influence policing so that as well as fewer borken windows then there are fewer broken bodies as well.
Best regards
Rod King
Rodney, Speed is not a big a problem as drivers who dont indicate. being an ex White helmets motorcycle display team memeber, we were able to criss cross each other at high speed because we knew what each other were doing. Every day accidents are caused on our roads and deaths due to drivers not knowing what other drivers are going to do as they do not indicate or if they do put the indicator on the movement has already taken place.
Geoff
I am not exactly sure what relevance motor display teams have to the speed limit on residential roads.
After all these were teams of experienced and highly trained officers who spent a great deal of time practicing their moves together. Presumably in doing so they all agreed to go at the same speed and were not subject to any other interventions in the arena such as other motorists, parked cars, children, cyclists, pedestrians.
Surely there was a “limit” to how fast they could go during the exercise and it was important for their own safety to adhere to it. Any individual driver “thinking” he/she could go faster would risk the safety of other members of the team.
It is not that speed in itself is the cause of crashes so much as speed being the reason that so many crashes cannot be avoided.
Best regards
Rod