Lord Prescott warns privatisation is a real threat to police
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott has described plans to privatise the police as "alarming".
Lord Prescott, who recently announced his intentions to stand as the Labour candidate for the new role of Humberside Police Crime Commissioner, revealed his intention to fight the proposals.
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'unacceptable': Lord Prescott, who is in the running to become crime commissioner, at Queens Gardens Police Station, Hull. Picture: Jack Harland
Under the plans, private companies, such as security firm G4S, could investigate crimes, patrol neighbourhoods and detain suspects.
They would not, however, have the power of arrest.
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The privatisation plan is being put forward by Surrey and West Midlands police on behalf of all forces across the UK.
They could be operational as early as next February.
Lord Prescott said: "This is an extremely alarming, fundamental change to our police system.
"It needs to be nipped in the bud now.
"This is about replacing bobbies on the beat with security people."
Lord Prescott said he intends to find out what people in the Humberside Police area think about the proposals.
It will form part of his election manifesto if he gets the nod as the Labour candidate.
He said: "The one thing people want is the presence of police on the beat, people who can make arrests.
"Saying you are going to get security services will not give people the same amount of confidence.
"I intend to make this an issue.
"It is unacceptable putting security officers in areas where the police have a responsibility. These people won't be responsible to the chief constable, they will be responsible to the company that employs them and that company's shareholders.
"It is a grave threat to our traditional police service."
Former Hull East MP Lord Prescott said the move was motivated by cuts.
"There is no doubt about it," he said. "The police are already having 20 per cent of their monies cut.
"They are losing 16,000 staff nationally and this is the plan to fill the gap – with security people?
"That is not acceptable."
The elections for the first police and crime commissioner take place in November.
Ex-city council leader Colin Inglis and recently retired Humberside Police senior officer Keith Hunter have already submitted their applications for the Labour ticket, as well as former Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey and former police authority chairwoman Alene Branton.
Comments
by TheEmperor
Tuesday, March 06 2012, 10:25PM
“Perhaps, if the police get privatised, I should turn to crime? Private bobbies will be overworked, underpaid (and therefore ripe for bribery), unappreciated, breathtakingly inept, and won't really give the job their all as the pay will be so **** and perks almost nonexistent.
I can't think of a better opportunity for career criminal start-ups myself.”
by Defarge
Tuesday, March 06 2012, 7:55AM
“Whatever one might think of Lord Prescott's ability, or of his integrity (and personally, I don't think much of either) he has (politically speaking) seen most of what goes on.
On this occasion, I suspect he is right. I should have thought that sufficient corruption exists within the police already, without encouraging yet more.”
by x28jon
Monday, March 05 2012, 10:59PM
“i see from down arrows i got some Labourites in What did Labour ever do for Hull?”
by PURPLESPIDER
Monday, March 05 2012, 10:40PM
“Ha,ha,ha the only country stupid enough to phase out police and law and oder ha,ha,ha”
by x28jon
Monday, March 05 2012, 8:46PM
“Lord (joke but Pauline is happy )) Prescott is a real threat to Police privatisation is how it should read”
by x28jon
Monday, March 05 2012, 8:42PM
“God forbid this man becomes police commissioner. Bus lane =disaster Deputy pm =disaster
Kill the house of Lords= oh well hang on they want me to become one Big u turn
The man is a total disaster and to make him police commissioner is like making TonyBlair the Pope A big big mistake if he gets the job”
by SPBlakeney
Monday, March 05 2012, 7:23PM
“Scaremongering is always the most shabby and lazy form of electioneering from a guy who had more than tiem enough in power to set things right. Easy from the sidelines isnt it, Prescott?”
by pcrowan
Monday, March 05 2012, 7:22PM
“looks like the gravy trains just arrived again complete with trough..what a collection!! Is this the best we can do?”
by Basil__Fawlty
Monday, March 05 2012, 7:12PM
“Just when you thought you had heard enough from Lardbubble. He's like a lingering f@rt you can't get rid of.”
by AstonomiaSK
Monday, March 05 2012, 6:13PM
“Its no win situation, Private police overseen by Prezza - they are going to hate each other!”