I SUSPECT it is protectionism rather than public concern that has prompted North Yorkshire’s well-paid and politically appointed Police and Crime Commissioner (a misnomer if ever there was one) to suggest in the devolution debate that the Yorkshire region cannot function properly with one police service for the whole area (The Press, June 24).

Julia Mulligan should look to Police Scotland for a successful working model that has removed layers of unnecessary management and taken full advantage of economies of scale in moving the emphasis of policing to front-end service delivery.

Forty years ago cities like York had their own police forces, and just six years before there was a host of small borough forces. But times move on, and amalgamations of police areas have taken place in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness.

Nowadays disrupting mobile drug networks, intervening in child trafficking gangs and preventing terrorist atrocities relies on intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid intervention. Cost-effective solutions are the order of the day.

Raising to regional level the responsibility for maintaining public safety, as a precursor to economic growth, will ensure the adequate resourcing of a police function relevant to today’s society.

Allan Charlesworth, Old Earswick, York

 

IT WAS extremely disappointing to read coverage of a meeting in York (York becoming “no-go area” on Saturdays say city leaders, The Press, June 20) – not to mention surprising, as just three months earlier you reported that York had been voted the safest city in the world (“York named as the safest city in the world by short-break tourists”, March 9).

The reality is that York is a great city with a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, and residents and visitors alike can enjoy spending time here feeling safe and secure.

We do listen to businesses’ and residents’ concerns, and we work very closely with our partners including City of York Council, British Transport Police, train operators and Make It York, to minimise anti-social behaviour.

Where anyone’s behaviour falls below an acceptable standard, we will not hesitate to take firm action, including the use of dispersal powers to remove disruptive groups from the city centre.

We are committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy York, and innovative joint measures such as Pub Watch, the Alcohol Restriction Zone and the proposed new code of conduct are ongoing proof of that commitment.

Paul Kennedy Assistant Chief Constable, North Yorkshire Police

 

ANDREW Butler is right in that there are few verses in the Bible dealing with homosexuality (Letters, June 27), but they are cataclysmic in their portent.

First God destroyed the world in the flood, then he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone (did you see the recent television programme on this subject?) and then – through Saint Paul – he promises hell for all who practise such things.

Perhaps Mr Butler skipped this bit in his selective reading of the New Testament.

Christ said he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfil it.

So how can York Minster be following Christ when they are setting aside the laws that he came to fulfil?

The passage dealing with not judging is addressed to Christians and was quite explicit – don’t judge someone if you are practicing the same behaviour yourself.

Nowhere does it say you should not point out to someone when they are in error considering the laws of God.

Ken Barnes, North View, Catterton, Tadcaster

 

I AM writing about an article about bars in benches in bus stops (The Press, June 24).

I cannot believe people like Steph Brodie and Alan Crow expect the bus company and the council to provide places for the homeless to sleep where the public have to wait for buses.

A lot of these people urinate and vomit in these shelters, as well as in shop doorways all over town.

Good luck to people who want to help these homeless people, but they can’t expect everybody to put up with how they behave when drunk.

Also, the police are kept busy with these antics, with people brawling and intimidating local people.

D Banks, Grosvenor Terrace, Bootham, York

 

NETWORK Rail have been told to slow down rail upgrades because they didn’t price the work well enough and the costs have risen.

I look forward to ministers resigning in swathes when HS2 proves to cost substantially more than was budgeted.

HS2, let us remind ourselves, is so people can get from Birmingham to London a few minutes quicker.

Clearly that is vital.

Building a new rail connection across the Pennines to replace the secondhand clapped-out trains we have now is obviously not nearly as important as a vanity project for the South.

Clive Tiney, Haxby, York

 

HOW can City of York Council call it the community stadium when not having York RL team in it?

Does any money come out of council tax towards the stadium?

If so, give the people of York a say in it.

Being an ex-York RL player from Clarence Street, I’m a bit let down by it all.

D Gray, Whenby Grove, Huntington, York