As police forces throughout the United Kingdom grapple with rising crime, increasing anti-social behaviour and the problems of international terrorism some regional forces appear to have surplus capacity.
At a recent packed meeting arranged by the Office for National Statistics at the Alverton Manor Hotel in Truro, Kernow, even the Director of Census for England & Wales expressed his surprise at the necessity for four police officers to be present in the hotel grounds.
The meeting on Friday 20th April, 2007 was well attended by Cornwall Councillors, District, Parish and Town Councillors, Stannators, teachers, clergy, civil servants as well as members of other democratic Cornish Organisations all calling for greater Cornish recognition in the 2011 Census. However, no criminals, vandals or terrorists were to be seen. One unconfirmed source has suggested that car registration plate numbers were being recorded by the officers present.
Mike Chappell branch secretary of the Celtic League (Kernow branch), at the request of the Director of Census, Mr Ian Cope, approached the Hotel Manager and asked if he had summoned the police to which he replied 'not at all.'
This would appear to be a classic case of police over reaction to a democratic meeting involving Cornish issues. Perhaps questions should be asked about the manner in which the 'Devonwall' police deploy their force.
Surely they have better things to do than turn up mob-handed at an innocuous census meeting?
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
24/04/07
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