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  • @ Ian Levitt
    Calderdale Police Chief Superintendent

    You said recently that Skircoats Green had become a 'temporary hotspot'- do you have the resources to predict what will be the next temporary hotspot in Halifax (and if so where?) or are the criminals... Show more »You said recently that Skircoats Green had become a 'temporary hotspot'- do you have the resources to predict what will be the next temporary hotspot in Halifax (and if so where?) or are the criminals from outside Calderdale always one step ahead? Show less »

    Submitted by: crimestat | 56 votes for this..

    0 comments | Topic: Crime | Bookmark and Share

    Answered by Ian Levitt

    The deployment of police resources is dictated to a large extent by the use of the National Intelligence Model. In Calderdale we have a very effective Intelligence Unit who look at historic and current trends with a view to identifying potential 'hot spots' where policing activity is likely to have the greatest impact. The Intelligence Unit also works very closely with the Integrated Offender Management team who, with key partners, monitor and manage the behaviour of the most problematic criminals in Calderdale by providing support and advise through to arrest and conviction if they don't comply. The results over the last few years in reducing crime and increasing detections would indicate that the police in Calderdale are managing to get one step ahead of the criminals.  Remember that every single crime less, is one less victim.

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  • @ Lynne Featherstone
    Home Office PUS (Minister for Equalities)

    A burglary a day in Crouch End. Will Ian Blair's departure mean this will get better?

    Submitted by: Londontowner | 10 votes for this..

    0 comments | Topic: Crime | Bookmark and Share

    Answered by Lynne Featherstone

    No - doubt whether Ian Blair's departure will make a difference. He was doing a reasonable job on cutting crime - or rather it was more the financial investment by us the tax-payers into Neighbourhood Policing that has made a difference. But he was the Commander on whose watch that expansion took place. Doubt whether his staying or going would make any difference. What would make more of a difference would be if the local force could set more local targets rather than have to reach the central ones which are not always appropriate to every location

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  • @ Fabian Hamilton
    Labour MP for Leeds North East

    In light of the successful ten year long Swiss experiment offering maintenance doses of heroin to addicts in clinical settings, isn't it time the UK considered adopting a similar policy here on a larger... Show more »In light of the successful ten year long Swiss experiment offering maintenance doses of heroin to addicts in clinical settings, isn't it time the UK considered adopting a similar policy here on a larger scale? Heroin maintenance therapy has been proven to improve the quality and length of life for heroin addicts as well as drastically cutting down acquisitive crime committed by them to fund their habits. Initiation of new users has also been drastically reduced as the policy of prescription de-glamourises the drug and reduces the demand for the substance illegally. This experiment has also been successful in the Netherlands and Germany has recently voted to extend the policy federally. Show less »

    Submitted by: levent | 34 votes for this..

    1 comment | Topic: Crime | Bookmark and Share

    Answered by Fabian Hamilton

    I understand the clinical success of the Swiss experiment and the relief it must offer to addicts. However, I am not persuaded of the case for it to become routine. I am concerned about the group dynamic among drug users and the incentive for the criminal fraternity that continually seeks to interest particularly young people to experiment with addictive drugs. Apart from the 'virtual or imagined' pleasures of drug use the real prize is for suppliers to have more desperate customers who will then destroy their lives and resort to criminality in order to feed their addiction. Knowing that the state will then supply drugs as last resort is unlikely in my view to tackle the underlying problems. I would like to see research to look for a cure to addiction - a treatment that would stop the craving and prevent the drug working in the body again. Perhaps that is wishful thinking but it would kill the industry. In the mean time I support the efforts of the police and army worldwide to block trafficking, cut off the supply and imprison all those involved in serious criminality. I also look to see projects to improve transport infrastructure in places like Columbia and Afghanistan so that other cash crops can be grown and marketed and the rule of law applied.

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  • @ Ian Levitt
    Calderdale Police Chief Superintendent

    Why are the types of criminal that weren't previously likely to use violence (like car thieves) suddenly becoming more violent? What can you do about it?

    Submitted by: evenhand | 31 votes for this..

    0 comments | Topic: Crime | Bookmark and Share

    Answered by Ian Levitt

    I dispute the fact that criminals are becoming more violent in Calderdale. The number of criminals involved in violent crime in Calderdale continues to buck the national trend and violent crime continues to reduce significantly here in Calderdale. The most serious violent crimes dominate our headlines and a large proportion of news time is given over to this which in turn raises the fear of crime - but the numbers really are very small indeed.  Much of our violent crime is fuelled by alcohol, which is why we intervene early, whether it's a police officer, street angel, or one of our other partners, we all work hard to prevent violent crime. Despite reductions in violent crime of almost a third this year, we are not complacent, and we continually work with our partners to support those who do become victims and to change the behaviour of the district's most active offenders.

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