‘The police formula for London is out of date,’ reader calls for policing reform
The most senior police chief in Britain has called for the 43 regional forces covering England and Wales to be replaced with about 12 super-sized authorities (Metro, Mon).
Metropolitan Police commissioner Mark Rowley says this, the biggest overhaul of policing in 60 years, would slash costs and help detectives use modern tech better.
He also said wealthy football clubs should pay more towards the £70million cost of policing matches.
As a former police authority member for Wiltshire, I have studied this merger idea.
Like Police Scotland and Police Service of Northern Ireland, the 12 would be Police North West, Police South East – you get my thinking – overseen by elected police and crime commissioners from existing areas to form a police authority.
The police formula for London is out of date by about 20 years. Guarding VIPs and embassies in London should be centrally funded.
And football clubs should pay additional policing costs. Andrew Edwards, Tidworth
Who should pay to police the pitch?
All the costs of policing outside and inside football matches should be paid for by the clubs.
We don’t need the police wasting valuable time policing outside stadiums. This should be done by the club stewards who are given the right of arrest.
Clubs can afford it. They’re paying some players £400,000 a week, for heaven’s sake. Richard Farrar, London
‘Reduced police forces will be a kick in the teeth for rural communities’ say reader
Proposals to reduce the total number of police forces will be a real kick in the teeth for rural communities – many of which already feel forgotten about or under-policed when rural crime occurs.
Now with proposed ‘mega forces’ looking after crime hotspots, these rural communities won’t get so much as a look in. Neil Dance, Birmingham
Pride for Pride
That was another great Pride celebration in London at the weekend. A million thanks to the organisers and all the volunteers who were so supportive and ensured a wonderful time was had by all.
For the third year I attended as an ally. Without doubt it’s the best day and party in London. It is totally inclusive for everyone: marchers, attendees, elderly, disabled, children and families.
It’s always a real privilege to attend. Sarah Bird, London
Swing and a miss, reader complains about BBC sports transmissions
How can the BBC possibly justify the amount of sport it transmitted over the past week?
Is Wimbledon really what I pay my licence fee for? The only sport that I’m interested in is golf, which the BBC now fails to air. Anne C Meredith, by email
Curious culinary combinations
Clara Jennings caused quite a stir in the queue at Wimbledon by adding a Domino’s pizza dip to her strawberries. (Metro, Fri).
How about this? Pound red chillies with salt and dip or sprinkle a bit of this mix on your mango, pineapple, watermelon etc. They’ll taste sweeter.
Also, add a wee pinch of salt to your coffee for a richer taste. Bach, Brum
Should Mush ditch Mars mission?
Elon Musk would be wise to ditch his plans to build a city on Mars.
Instead, he could reroute our water from flood zones to replenish our deserts, thereby improving the eco balance. Pauline, Warrington
A protest about…protest?
So many protests on this now sad and divided island on just about anything, everything and everyone.
I’m thinking about having a protest about protesting. Would anyone like to join me?
Not on weekends, though. I would rather have fun. Steve, Hackbridge
Wishing Marge a speedy recovery
My Aunt Marge has been so ill for so long, we’ve decided to call her ‘I can’t believe she’s not better’. Dave Hughes, Chigwell
