MPs slam Brunstrom
Discussion
MPs slam police chief 'gimmicks'
A group of north Wales Labour MPs have met to discuss their "concerns" over chief constable Richard Brunstrom. One, Wrexham's Ian Lucas, accused him of ignoring requests to meet MPs, and another, Albert Owen, said he had been "scaremongering" about job cuts.
Another MP, Mark Tami, claimed Mr Brunstrom had wasted a "frightening" amount of money on "gimmicks".
The force said it would be happy to provide a "compelling response" if Mr Tami put his points directly to them.
The criticism of Mr Brunstrom comes two days after North Wales Police announced it was being forced to cut 120 jobs because of a funding shortfall.
The police chief blamed a reduction in funding combined with a possible cap on council tax rises. He said the UK government had put "police finance into a really dreadful mess".
Mr Lucas said the Labour group met members of the North Wales Police Authority two weeks ago to discuss concerns over funding and they promised to raise the matter with the Home Office. Mr Brunstrom did not attend the meeting.
He said: "We wrote to him about three months ago to ask for a meeting, but I don't think we've had a response.
"Perhaps he's too busy writing his blog," he added, referring to the police chief's controversial regular web diary.
"He's issuing highly politicised press releases attacking the government, but he doesn't keep us informed and as elected members we have to deal with a lot of concerns from our constituents over policing issues.
"It's not a professional way to run a police force."
He said the north Wales Labour group had fought hard for extra resources and had also supported the police authority in successfully opposing plans for an all-Wales force.
But he said Mr Brunstrom did not apply for funding for police community support officers three years ago because he did not believe in the idea.
Mr Tami said: "Today there are more police than ever before in north Wales, but there has also been a frightening amount of money wasted on gimmicks.
"Questions should be asked about how much the free publications sent to all households cost.
"These publications featured a poem entitled 'Thank Heavens for Richard Brunstrom' which many of my constituents found distasteful.
"How much was also spent on changing the colour of the uniform? How much was wasted in a ludicrous internal inquiry into leaked police authority papers that resulted in its members having DNA samples taken?"
He added: "From now on I think it is important Mr Brunstrom focuses on spending public money on policing, rather than self-promotion, fashion alterations, internal witch hunts and costly gimmicks."
But deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale said the force had recently been graded "excellent" for its resource management.
He added: "Mark Tami's press release seems unnecessarily defensive and not a little frantic.
"As a member of parliament, Mr Tami is entitled to answers to all the questions he raises, and were he to put his points directly and appropriately to the force, he would receive a compelling response."
Ynys Mon MP Albert Owen said he was "outraged" at Mr Brunstrom's handling of the recent job cuts announcement.
He said: "I think a competent police officer would not look to scaremonger in the first instance, and look for alternatives."
Mr Owen said he and his colleagues wanted a meeting with Mr Brunstrom, and had requested one since June.
"We are not happy to read in the press about jobs cuts especially as we are working with the police authority on a number of complex funding issues," he said.
Mr Owen said it was for the police authority to decide whether or not Mr Brunstrom remained in post as chief constable.
Assistant chief constable Ian Shannon said he was "surprised" by the MPs' comments, and the force had received glowing reports during recent assessments.
He added: "The chief constable is currently on a firearms command course in the south of England and is unavailable today to respond to the comments himself."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/nort
A group of north Wales Labour MPs have met to discuss their "concerns" over chief constable Richard Brunstrom. One, Wrexham's Ian Lucas, accused him of ignoring requests to meet MPs, and another, Albert Owen, said he had been "scaremongering" about job cuts.
Another MP, Mark Tami, claimed Mr Brunstrom had wasted a "frightening" amount of money on "gimmicks".
The force said it would be happy to provide a "compelling response" if Mr Tami put his points directly to them.
The criticism of Mr Brunstrom comes two days after North Wales Police announced it was being forced to cut 120 jobs because of a funding shortfall.
The police chief blamed a reduction in funding combined with a possible cap on council tax rises. He said the UK government had put "police finance into a really dreadful mess".
Mr Lucas said the Labour group met members of the North Wales Police Authority two weeks ago to discuss concerns over funding and they promised to raise the matter with the Home Office. Mr Brunstrom did not attend the meeting.
He said: "We wrote to him about three months ago to ask for a meeting, but I don't think we've had a response.
"Perhaps he's too busy writing his blog," he added, referring to the police chief's controversial regular web diary.
"He's issuing highly politicised press releases attacking the government, but he doesn't keep us informed and as elected members we have to deal with a lot of concerns from our constituents over policing issues.
"It's not a professional way to run a police force."
He said the north Wales Labour group had fought hard for extra resources and had also supported the police authority in successfully opposing plans for an all-Wales force.
But he said Mr Brunstrom did not apply for funding for police community support officers three years ago because he did not believe in the idea.
Mr Tami said: "Today there are more police than ever before in north Wales, but there has also been a frightening amount of money wasted on gimmicks.
"Questions should be asked about how much the free publications sent to all households cost.
"These publications featured a poem entitled 'Thank Heavens for Richard Brunstrom' which many of my constituents found distasteful.
"How much was also spent on changing the colour of the uniform? How much was wasted in a ludicrous internal inquiry into leaked police authority papers that resulted in its members having DNA samples taken?"
He added: "From now on I think it is important Mr Brunstrom focuses on spending public money on policing, rather than self-promotion, fashion alterations, internal witch hunts and costly gimmicks."
But deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale said the force had recently been graded "excellent" for its resource management.
He added: "Mark Tami's press release seems unnecessarily defensive and not a little frantic.
"As a member of parliament, Mr Tami is entitled to answers to all the questions he raises, and were he to put his points directly and appropriately to the force, he would receive a compelling response."
Ynys Mon MP Albert Owen said he was "outraged" at Mr Brunstrom's handling of the recent job cuts announcement.
He said: "I think a competent police officer would not look to scaremonger in the first instance, and look for alternatives."
Mr Owen said he and his colleagues wanted a meeting with Mr Brunstrom, and had requested one since June.
"We are not happy to read in the press about jobs cuts especially as we are working with the police authority on a number of complex funding issues," he said.
Mr Owen said it was for the police authority to decide whether or not Mr Brunstrom remained in post as chief constable.
Assistant chief constable Ian Shannon said he was "surprised" by the MPs' comments, and the force had received glowing reports during recent assessments.
He added: "The chief constable is currently on a firearms command course in the south of England and is unavailable today to respond to the comments himself."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/nort
turbobloke said:
Brunstrom - on a firearms command course?
Obviously expecting some trouble!
As an aside, whilst at the bike show at the NEC on Monday with some mates, we passed a stand being manned by Mr B's constabulary. The BiB addressing the assembled bikers apolgised that Mr B couldn't be there, though he would apparently like to have been, but he had a more pressing engagement (obviosuly pressing triggers then!). Some wag at the back heckled a reply - "aye, the b'stard knows he wouldn't get out alive!". Made I larf anyway....
A group of North Wales LABOUR MP's (not names familiar to me at all) are 'outraged' that Bumpstop has not spoken to them before releasing statements criticising the way the police are funded and treated by the government.
Well I never.
Pot not in colour coordination with kettle I suppose, at least in their own self images.
I wonder if they are all Druids?
Well I never.
Pot not in colour coordination with kettle I suppose, at least in their own self images.
I wonder if they are all Druids?
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
havoc said:
jasandjules said:
Can't they slam him into Stonehenge, at say 300 mph....
Bit unfair on Stonehenge. How about Westminster - bigger, almost as tough, and nearly as old (and that's just the occupants!
)?An excellent plan.
Could also televise it, on a pay per view basis.. Make a fortune outta that....
cooperman said:
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
Great idea.
Next mail...Lake District Tourist Board...the Cumbria SCP is as bad...one of the few places I've seen talivans targeting a Motorway...and a quiet one at that!
The poem reads well...
The Blue (English translation)
Time was when Welsh in Wales was not, officially, police.
Time was when Welsh in Wales could be extremely dangerous.
Time was when Welsh in Wales could be debilitating.
Then there came one chief constable, an English man, who made a world of difference.
He was a man who felt no need to be embarrassed
For our native tongue - it was, said he, here for our use.
We should be grateful for him - we need more English like him, Richard Brunstrom,
And fewer of the sort of Welsh who invent impediments to shut our language in some final and eternal bin.
The Blue (English translation)
Time was when Welsh in Wales was not, officially, police.
Time was when Welsh in Wales could be extremely dangerous.
Time was when Welsh in Wales could be debilitating.
Then there came one chief constable, an English man, who made a world of difference.
He was a man who felt no need to be embarrassed
For our native tongue - it was, said he, here for our use.
We should be grateful for him - we need more English like him, Richard Brunstrom,
And fewer of the sort of Welsh who invent impediments to shut our language in some final and eternal bin.
cooperman said:
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
South Wales has also lost my "tourist £" over the last few years for exactly the same reasons
rs1952 said:
cooperman said:
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
It's good to email them about this. I did and they were apologetic about the police attitude to drivers in their region, especially when I pointed out that to avoid any risk to my licence and tomake my hoilday as stress-free as possible, infutere I would be holidaying/touring abroad or in other, less camera-obsessed, areas of the UK.
South Wales has also lost my "tourist £" over the last few years for exactly the same reasons
I hope you wrote and told then exactly why.
cooperman said:
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this.
It's good to email them about this.
I emailed them over my 'concerns' earlier this year, this was the reply I received.......
"Thank you for your e-mail, received 8th February, and I apologise for the delay in responding.
I am of course delighted to hear that you are regular visitors to Wales and enjoy your holiday breaks here. I am therefore sorry to learn of your concern about the effect of speed cameras but assure you that the Police are not purposely prosecuting visitors.
The Police share our concern for the safety of visitors and residents alike and are convinced that these cameras play a major part in making Wales a safer place to visit. However, the Wales Tourism Alliance has held discussions with the Police to try to alleviate the negative impression that people have of speed cameras in Wales.
Speed cameras exist in all other parts of the UK as well as in Wales and I sincerely hope that you don't feel that their incidence here will deter you from continuing to take regular breaks in Wales.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact the Wales Tourist Board, and hope that you will return to Wales soon.
Yours sincerely
Llinos Williams
Swyddog Cynorthwyol - Executive Assistant
Cyfathrebu a Materion Corfforaethol - Communications & Corporate Affairs
WALES TOURIST BOARD
llinos.williams@tourism.wales.gov.uk"
catso said:
cooperman said:
I understand that the WElsh Tourist Board are also in 'discussions' with 'his nibs' about the damage his silly cameras are doing to tourism.
It's good to email them about this.
It's good to email them about this.
I emailed them over my 'concerns' earlier this year, this was the reply I received.......
"Thank you for your e-mail, received 8th February, and I apologise for the delay in responding.
I am of course delighted to hear that you are regular visitors to Wales and enjoy your holiday breaks here. I am therefore sorry to learn of your concern about the effect of speed cameras but assure you that the Police are not purposely prosecuting visitors.
The Police share our concern for the safety of visitors and residents alike and are convinced that these cameras play a major part in making Wales a safer place to visit. However, the Wales Tourism Alliance has held discussions with the Police to try to alleviate the negative impression that people have of speed cameras in Wales.
Speed cameras exist in all other parts of the UK as well as in Wales and I sincerely hope that you don't feel that their incidence here will deter you from continuing to take regular breaks in Wales.
I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact the Wales Tourist Board, and hope that you will return to Wales soon.
Yours sincerely
Llinos Williams
Swyddog Cynorthwyol - Executive Assistant
Cyfathrebu a Materion Corfforaethol - Communications & Corporate Affairs
WALES TOURIST BOARD
llinos.williams@tourism.wales.gov.uk"
"Making Wales a safer place to visit"?......Really? When you can lose your livelyhood for a visit to the mountains or the beach?.....and for WHAT?......the heinous crime of +5mph?....
My Advice..Do as I do.....Take the nearest ferry to Europe and spend your money there!......
P.S. ...WALES.....
is about 1hr away from me.....I don't care if I NEVER see it again!.....I last saw it about 40 yrs ago.....(it always rains anyway) Yep! You know the song don't you?....."Rain in Wa-les, Rain in Wa-les, Rain in Wales for evermore!.......Rain in Wales for evermore!....Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff