Brunstrom's blog
Discussion
www.north-wales.police.uk/nwp/public/en/blogs/viewblog2.asp?CID=126
Brun appears to be claiming credit for last years fall in road deaths.
I am told this year had sadly already passed last years total by Novemeber. Will he take resonsibility for that?
A local chap, keeen on road safety, has just written to a local paper as follows:
Dear Sir,
I am intrigued that the headline on Thursday should have read DROP IN ROAD CASUALTIES rather than DROP IN ROAD DEATHS, as the two give totally different impressions to readers, and I have not noticed a correction in either Saturday's, Monday's or today's Daily Post, which leaves people still believing DEATHS are down. Perhaps, so that readers are not misled, one might be forthcoming during the week?
Your statement that statistics not matching A&E figures can be dismissed intrigues me. Are you saying that they are incorrect, or misleading? Perhaps the reverse is true and the police statistics are incorrect, for as has already been proved, their claims on deaths are fiddled to justify their policies? Anyway, let's look at another set of figures, those from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
People in RTCs attended by North Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
2002/3
People rescued 88
People injured 248
People killed 20
2004/5
People rescued 148
People injured 543
People killed 33
2005/6 (incomplete as yet)
People rescued 143
People injured 521
People killed 17
The trend seems to be upward rather than down
Yesterday Geraint Anwyl claimed '242 people were killed or seriously injured in 2005, a drop of 53.37%' He didn't of course state over what period, so it could be a figure simply plucked out of thin air, as with Mr. Brunstrom's claim that NWP have hit the long-term government target for casualty reduction already. But was Mr. Brunstrom using the percentage reduction on the 2004 figure of 58, because he certainly couldn't be using the 2002 figure of 44 (remember we are already at 41 this year)?
Further, how do you define a 'serious' injury? The Fire and Rescue figure for 2004/5 shows a total of 543 injured, and one assumes they generally are only called out to the more serious incidents, so how does 543 tally with 242?
Similarly, in today's paper, on page 2, it's reported that a trial of mounted police in Wrexham had resulted in a 'huge' reduction in crime. How huge? Over what period? What type of crime? Does that mean all crime? I am somewhat at a loss to see how mounted police are going to deter sheep rustling, car theft, burglary or even shop lifting, but I could, of course be wrong. I look forward to seeing the initiative rolled out into rural Denbighshire where I live, as it will take me back to the time in the fifties and sixties when the local village bobby was a regular sight. I'm sure horse enthusiasts in NWP who previously had to pay for their hobby will be delighted, but why do I think it's another example of publicity designed to divert attention from embarrassing failure on other fronts?
The NWP has been acknowledged in government statistics as being the best performing force? May I ask who supplies the information to the government inspectors? Now you may indeed dismiss the PPP has peddling 'conspiracy-addled nonsense,' but we had nothing to do with the North East judge who labelled Mr. Brunstrom 'disingenuous'. I think it was Mark Twain who remarked that there were 'lies, damn lies, and statistics'.
The sad fact is that people, and especially young people, are dying needlessly here in North Wales as you report, but NWP do not have an effective policy in place to combat this, as the 'Arrive Alive' camera vans target areas where maximum revenue can be obtained during daytime hours, and the general public is never informed they can be sited, and mostly are, up to 3000 metres (nearly two miles) from qualifying KSI locations.
The PPP have been conducting a long term public survey, the results of which have shocked even us. Unlike one particular NWP survey, frequently quoted in the past by Mr. Brunstrom to justify his actions, but which no evidence seems to exist to confirm it ever took place, the PPP survey is open to scrutiny by anyone. It's couched in simple terms, and in no way supports the claims that crime is down, or that police response to call outs has been satisfactory. You are welcome to come and scrutinise the results (each set of question replies are on a separate form, complete with post code), and we would welcome you coming along next time we conduct a town centre survey, something I suspect NWP would not.
As to conspiracy theories, look at the record regarding intrigue within NWP. There are numerous instances, but the Peter Bolton and Bill Brereton costly fiascos spring to mind as the most prominent, and raiding the office of your colleague in Mold searching for evidence on the 'mole' bordered on the paranoia Furthermore, the Arrive Alive department is prepared to go to any lengths to defend its precarious position, including refusing to answer simple questions, deliberate procrastination, and lying. I have documentary proof of the latter two, and am in the process of taking matters further against Superintendent Ahari.
The PPP is a totally non-profit making, apolitical group of concerned citizens, which is gradually gaining substantial support across North Wales. Despite great difficulties in initially promoting the group (the Daily Post refused to accept an advert for a major public meeting) it has continued to grow, with the new website going live over the next couple of weeks. It is not, despite assertions to the contrary, an anti-speed camera group, but it is concerned about camera abuse, and the lack of a proper road safety policy. It also aims to try and get a return to proactive, rather than reactive, policing, especially when it comes to the protection of the public and their property.
The reference to Shergar in your last paragraph was most amusing, considering our Chief Constable's current passion for horses, but in view of the season, and the fact the actions and sayings of Mr. Brainstorm have made North Wales a laughing stock even beyond the British borders, perhaps a pantomime horse might be more appropriate?
Finally, I repeat once again the invitation to view the PPP survey results, discuss the PPP general aims, and be present when members of the public are questioned as part of the ongoing survey. We have nothing to hide, and try to deal only in facts!
Yours faithfully,
Brun appears to be claiming credit for last years fall in road deaths.
I am told this year had sadly already passed last years total by Novemeber. Will he take resonsibility for that?
A local chap, keeen on road safety, has just written to a local paper as follows:
Dear Sir,
I am intrigued that the headline on Thursday should have read DROP IN ROAD CASUALTIES rather than DROP IN ROAD DEATHS, as the two give totally different impressions to readers, and I have not noticed a correction in either Saturday's, Monday's or today's Daily Post, which leaves people still believing DEATHS are down. Perhaps, so that readers are not misled, one might be forthcoming during the week?
Your statement that statistics not matching A&E figures can be dismissed intrigues me. Are you saying that they are incorrect, or misleading? Perhaps the reverse is true and the police statistics are incorrect, for as has already been proved, their claims on deaths are fiddled to justify their policies? Anyway, let's look at another set of figures, those from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
People in RTCs attended by North Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
2002/3
People rescued 88
People injured 248
People killed 20
2004/5
People rescued 148
People injured 543
People killed 33
2005/6 (incomplete as yet)
People rescued 143
People injured 521
People killed 17
The trend seems to be upward rather than down
Yesterday Geraint Anwyl claimed '242 people were killed or seriously injured in 2005, a drop of 53.37%' He didn't of course state over what period, so it could be a figure simply plucked out of thin air, as with Mr. Brunstrom's claim that NWP have hit the long-term government target for casualty reduction already. But was Mr. Brunstrom using the percentage reduction on the 2004 figure of 58, because he certainly couldn't be using the 2002 figure of 44 (remember we are already at 41 this year)?
Further, how do you define a 'serious' injury? The Fire and Rescue figure for 2004/5 shows a total of 543 injured, and one assumes they generally are only called out to the more serious incidents, so how does 543 tally with 242?
Similarly, in today's paper, on page 2, it's reported that a trial of mounted police in Wrexham had resulted in a 'huge' reduction in crime. How huge? Over what period? What type of crime? Does that mean all crime? I am somewhat at a loss to see how mounted police are going to deter sheep rustling, car theft, burglary or even shop lifting, but I could, of course be wrong. I look forward to seeing the initiative rolled out into rural Denbighshire where I live, as it will take me back to the time in the fifties and sixties when the local village bobby was a regular sight. I'm sure horse enthusiasts in NWP who previously had to pay for their hobby will be delighted, but why do I think it's another example of publicity designed to divert attention from embarrassing failure on other fronts?
The NWP has been acknowledged in government statistics as being the best performing force? May I ask who supplies the information to the government inspectors? Now you may indeed dismiss the PPP has peddling 'conspiracy-addled nonsense,' but we had nothing to do with the North East judge who labelled Mr. Brunstrom 'disingenuous'. I think it was Mark Twain who remarked that there were 'lies, damn lies, and statistics'.
The sad fact is that people, and especially young people, are dying needlessly here in North Wales as you report, but NWP do not have an effective policy in place to combat this, as the 'Arrive Alive' camera vans target areas where maximum revenue can be obtained during daytime hours, and the general public is never informed they can be sited, and mostly are, up to 3000 metres (nearly two miles) from qualifying KSI locations.
The PPP have been conducting a long term public survey, the results of which have shocked even us. Unlike one particular NWP survey, frequently quoted in the past by Mr. Brunstrom to justify his actions, but which no evidence seems to exist to confirm it ever took place, the PPP survey is open to scrutiny by anyone. It's couched in simple terms, and in no way supports the claims that crime is down, or that police response to call outs has been satisfactory. You are welcome to come and scrutinise the results (each set of question replies are on a separate form, complete with post code), and we would welcome you coming along next time we conduct a town centre survey, something I suspect NWP would not.
As to conspiracy theories, look at the record regarding intrigue within NWP. There are numerous instances, but the Peter Bolton and Bill Brereton costly fiascos spring to mind as the most prominent, and raiding the office of your colleague in Mold searching for evidence on the 'mole' bordered on the paranoia Furthermore, the Arrive Alive department is prepared to go to any lengths to defend its precarious position, including refusing to answer simple questions, deliberate procrastination, and lying. I have documentary proof of the latter two, and am in the process of taking matters further against Superintendent Ahari.
The PPP is a totally non-profit making, apolitical group of concerned citizens, which is gradually gaining substantial support across North Wales. Despite great difficulties in initially promoting the group (the Daily Post refused to accept an advert for a major public meeting) it has continued to grow, with the new website going live over the next couple of weeks. It is not, despite assertions to the contrary, an anti-speed camera group, but it is concerned about camera abuse, and the lack of a proper road safety policy. It also aims to try and get a return to proactive, rather than reactive, policing, especially when it comes to the protection of the public and their property.
The reference to Shergar in your last paragraph was most amusing, considering our Chief Constable's current passion for horses, but in view of the season, and the fact the actions and sayings of Mr. Brainstorm have made North Wales a laughing stock even beyond the British borders, perhaps a pantomime horse might be more appropriate?
Finally, I repeat once again the invitation to view the PPP survey results, discuss the PPP general aims, and be present when members of the public are questioned as part of the ongoing survey. We have nothing to hide, and try to deal only in facts!
Yours faithfully,
letter writer said:
People in RTCs attended by North Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
2002/3
People rescued 88
People injured 248
People killed 20
2004/5
People rescued 148
People injured 543
People killed 33
2005/6 (incomplete as yet)
People rescued 143
People injured 521
People killed 17
The trend seems to be upward rather than down
Difficult at this stage to compute an overall upward trend on the basis of those figures (depends on period covered by 2005/6 figures) - Streaky 2002/3
People rescued 88
People injured 248
People killed 20
2004/5
People rescued 148
People injured 543
People killed 33
2005/6 (incomplete as yet)
People rescued 143
People injured 521
People killed 17
The trend seems to be upward rather than down
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