Police officers in Market Drayton are asking tax-payers to fund a new police car to enable them to get to incidents.PC Mick Sturland, officer for Market Drayton Rural South, has sent a letter to five parish councils in the region asking for financial assistance to purchase a car to allow him and his Community Support Officers to get to crimes.
In the letter PC Sturland says: “Since I took office in October 2008 one issue that has been crucial to the effectiveness of my role is the lack of transport to get either CSO Cannon or myself onto our area to be seen.
“I have now decided to bypass this system and attempt to get the parish councils we serve to contribute to the funding of a community car.”
Although unable to respond to 999 calls, a community car would contain a variety of police equipment and would be highly visible to act at as a deterrent.
However speaking at a meeting of Cheswardine Parish Council, Councillor Mike Hill said he was concerned by the request.
He said: “I personally think it is inappropriate for any parish council to pay for police services. I sympathise with what they are trying to do but this is tax payers money. This appears to be bad management by the police. I am all for CSO’s and what they do but I think the police force should be equipping themselves.”
Speaking to the Advertiser PC Sturland said: “Market Drayton Police have already got the allocated number of cars it is allowed. In an emergency you would like to think that I would always be able to get hold of a vehicle but at other times it can be difficult.
“Taking today as an example, I started duty at 12noon. It is already 2pm and I haven’t been able to leave the station. This is a regular occurrence.
“At the moment we have two vehicles that have broken down and one that is being serviced. More often than not we always have at least one vehicle off the road which makes things difficult.”
Maria Hawkaluk, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: “Local Police Teams work closely with their communities, including parish councils, to reduce crime in their area and make things better for all those who live and work there. There is a finite number of vehicles at each police station but always enough to attend any emergency call which comes in.
“However, they are not always available for extended use for local policing teams to get around their area. The situation with police vehicles is constantly under review should the need change.
By Joseph Masi
