The only good to have come from Wiltshire having a Police Crime Commissioner was proof The Conservatives used their power to reward their elite bum chums and family with overpaid, high power and often completely unnecessary penpushing jobsโฆ.
A Devizes Conservative town councillor once told me if I โget the chance to interview Philip (Wilkinson) you should take it. He is a good man and has huge respect for Mike (Rees) and sympathy that he has had to refinance due to the previous election.โ
I never had the chance, neither did I want the chance or chase it up, worrying it wouldn’t end well. I did once chat online with the predecessor candidate, Jonathan Seed, and that was enough talking to selfish entitled Tories for one lifetime.
Seedy revealed,โnobody has wanted to talk about hunting other than trolls online.โ This opened a closet of unfortunate skeletons for him, which began with the speculation as a convicted illegal huntsmaster he only wanted the position to encourage police to turn a blind eye to hunting, and ended with the national press unearthing lots of other unpleasant facts about his past, such as his drink driving offences.
The fact that despite the controversy he still won the election was proof at the time that if you put a blue rosette on Satan’s pet pig they’d have won. His post-election disqualification caused the Wiltshire taxpayers four million pounds for a re-election, yet still didn’t upset the blind Tory voters; second time unlucky, his Conservative assessor Phillip Wilkinson won too. This was my reasoning, alongside the cascade of national scandals like Partygate, for not wishing to platform another Conservative. I believe and stand by my thought that it’s justifiable on those terms.
The fact others drew Phillip into question on his thoughts around hunting, and despite not admittedly hunting himself, he supported hunting, attended hunt balls, and set about unfairly lambasting anti-hunt organisations caused not only the brushing under the carpet of allegations police officers were turning a blind eye to hunter’s violent attacks on protesters at the Boxing Day hunt in Lacock, and furthermore, other officers proved to be active members of hunt organisations, but also reasoning for my suspicions he was not the โgood manโ the councillor suggested he was. Entitled, yes, good, I’m afraid not.
โPhilip should have been the candidate last time and wasnโt, itโs a mistake but it canโt be changed. We have to move on and make sure people get a fair choice,โ reckoned the Councillor who banned anyone merely uttering the name Mike Rees, the independent candidate for the PCC, on the Facebook group he admins. Though, Mike suffered much further from the propaganda machine, excluding him from volunteering to administer lateral flow Covid tests because it was believed to be political point-scoring, when Mike runs a boxing club to engage youths, a charity for children with cancer, and while Seedy was throwing out campaign leaflets funded by the Conservative Party, Mike was delivering food packages for homeless charity Devizes OpenDoors.
Hum, we do not โhaveโ to move on at all in my opinion. The Councillor mightโve wished to, so these suspicious affairs could be archived into a filing cabinet in a dark backroom, bulging with other inconsistencies and matters of outrageous behaviour from the circus of thieves he backs. Rather we should rather dwell on the notion that it cost us four million quid, only for the end result being not so far from the original outcome, and now itโs to be scrapped anyway. What a terrible misuse of public spending.
An ex-military man, Phillip Wilkinsonโs entire aptitude and ethos was unsuitably hostile for a civil role which surely requires creating a bond between police and the public, and initialising trust in the force with the public. His reactionary replies to criticism on his Facebook page led him to lie about other candidates, silence the critics, claim absurd notions as facts, such as the time he stated unemployment was a choice, and at one point he even boasted about shooting people; the latter, while in the official line of duty, still isnโt a good look for the civil service.
False!
His angle on the PCC role was to marginalise us, attack groups he took a personal dislike to, and militarise the force; noted as failures by the communities he was supposed to have served. Mikeโs vision for the role was hands-on, telling me, โIf youโve got a demoralised police force, it doesnโt matter what policies and procedures people are coming up with, nothingโs going to work. Youโve got to sort your workforce out first, and get them to follow you, be inspired by you.โ
Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster said Mike was โgoing for the wrong job!โ And if Phillipโs interpretation of the role matched the job description, it was a political position rather than being active in the police, she was perhaps right. Philip served to be an overpaid government puppet, rock up to formal occasions, state the obvious, ramble on about how something had to be done about an issue, and retired to the kind of salary officers like PC Nicola Crabbe, who disarmed a knife-wielding attacker and dived into the canal to rescue a person in distress, could only imagine. A medal of bravery doesnโt put caviar on the table, Wilko!
Talking many times to Mike, I couldn’t imagine sympathy was what he wanted or needed. In fact he was adamant the PCC role was not needed and their salary could be better spent elsewhere in the force. Something the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has realised, and motioned to scrap the position, freeing up an extra ยฃ20m to fund front-line policing. If we had a government which knew the difference between a protester and a terrorist, I might have faith the money would be distributed to the appropriate channels. Fingerโs crossed.
But Phillip went bleating to Tory-biased BBC Wiltshire, crying, “It’s going to mean a less effective, less efficient and more politicised police force.” If his paradoxical belief taking away a political role in the police force would somehow politicise it isn’t proof he was clutching at straws, there’s a taste of irony in his consistent splatters about how much he required a higher budget to police Wiltshire, when Rees contradicted this with the notion it’s not about what’s budgeted but how it is spent. And unnecessarily spending a whooping chunk of it for a bloke to wander around the county like royalty, idly vowing to solve this problem or that, surely would have the opposite effect?!
Much ado about nothing. So, cheerio Wilko.
It’s no great revelation that his bygone strategies failed in the past, ergo, held no clout nowadays either. Seeking to punish individual drug dealers, for example, only leaves a gap in their turf another will step into, and isn’t really solving the bigger issue of getting drugs off our streets. We could debate if more radical moves need taking, but he was too stuck in the mud to ever take heed. Wilko was out of touch, whereas officers are on our streets witnessing and dealing with crime, and their opinions should count.
His attacks on youths tarnished them with the same brush, when that simply isnโt true, is counterproductive, and matches the troubles we were victimised for when we were younger. Then, hypocritically, he grabbed a photo opportunity last week at the newly opened Devizes Area Youth Lounge, where he immediately accentuated youth crime, suggesting anti-social behaviour was done only by youths and this would prevent them โhanging around the streets and getting into trouble.โ Far from the actual notion the centre was created to give all youths a space to socialise for the sake of their wellbeing and mental health.
With polarised views from people like him at the top of the hierarchy, at a time of financial instability and hyperinflation, conveniently caused by the party he backs, rebellious attitudes and crime will surely only worsen, by people of any age.
Youth programs will attract only those who wish to pursue them, and they tend not to be those troublemakers he cited. You cannot stop them, but you can reduce the peer-pressure and turn their petty crimes away from being a spectator sport, by providing safe spaces for those affected by them. Youths are not only the criminals but more often than not the victims of them too, and that was something sadly overlooked in Wilkinsonโs wonky thought process, and the reason I salute the notion to rid ourselves of these unnecessary and pompous roles of Police Crime Commissioners.
Does that make sense to you?! I wish Wilko well, and say cheerio. Iโm certain his pension will not see him walking those dangerous streets paved with wayward youths, and heโll still be able to enjoy luxurious banquets with his fox-hunting chums.
In 1975 I was 13 years old, in my second year at secondary school. By 1981 was I was about to take A-levels that summer.
In that time Peter Sutcliffe, a.k.a. โThe Yorkshire Ripperโ murdered thirteen women and attempted to murder seven others.
I grew up in Kent, two hundred and forty-five miles away from the area of those crimes. I was โ am โ male. It didnโt affect my life. Not directly. Yet, in retrospect it did touch my life, peripherally. A female friend went to university in that area during half that time โ another in another part of Yorkshire similarly. A best friendโs dad was a senior officer in the West Yorkshire Constabulary, though not attached to the police investigations. And it was a dominant, recurring news story, alongside the Northern Irish โtroubles”. For six years.
โThe Incident Roomโ by Olivia Hirst and David Byrne, tells the tale of the West Yorkshire policeโs investigation, seen through the characters of five C.I.D. and one uniform officers, one civilian special constable, and a journalist. Adding context and background is a party girl and a taxi driver โ one a survivor, the other a suspect. Itโs a fairly no-holds barred expose of the misguided processes and investigative lines taken, of the egos and personalities that ultimately proved to be so disastrously wrong in the โRipper Enquiryโ. It is also a portrayal of the humans behind those decisions and the impacts on their lives. It carries an increasingly strong message of female suppression, misogyny and general undertones of constant rivalries threaded throughout the story. It is a story of ultimate triumph โ but one that is hugely clouded by self-doubts, missed opportunities, ruined careers.
Platform 8 Productions have embraced all the above and delivered it, in spades. The Rondo Theatreโs intimate space works well with the short, sharp-scened focus of the play. Rich Canning has once again excelled with his set design encapsulating the increasingly oppressive and crushing confines of the Millgarth office with areas for external scenes as stage left and right. The design draws the eye into the very nub of the entire issue at hand โฆย the pin board where, as the death toll rises, the board gets filled with the stark photos of the victims, plus the attack survivor, Maureen Longโs. This is a tech heavy show and the tech crew of Will Ward, Alex Latham (who else at the Rondo?!) and Julie Dallimore have delivered director Nadine Combaโs wonderful visions to a tee โ time slips with ticking sounds and flickering lights a constant thread as the scenes race through the years of the case, stark office lighting, subdued 4am paperwork and filingโฆย not to forget the disco and driving music of course.
As so the castโฆย this is a character driven story as well as being a โhistoryโ, as opined previously. And the cast perform the characters SO believably.ย As the play progresses each character grows stronger. Thereโs George Oldfield, in charge, played by Mark Hale.ย All brusque and bullish at first, but the job wears him down of course and by the end he is broken, a spent and bitter man.ย Markโs mannerisms reminded me of somebody I knew, perfectlyโฆ Dick Holland, played by Rich Canning (of set fame!) ย is Oldfieldโs number two and he shows Hollandโs devotion to Oldfield and โฆย interestโฆย in special constable and man-hunter Sylvia Swanson played deliciously by Alex Oliviere. PC then DS Andrew Laptew, played by Matt Rushton, grows from โBradford Twatโ to sure footed detective until being crushed by the weight of his realisations over his suspicions that were glossed over and he didnโt push. Steve Brookes came to the cast quite late to play Jim Hobson, the tyre specialist โ forthright and convinced of his leads. Itโs a small part in the overall play but Steve makes his mark in the opening salvos with Oldfield well. Louche and cocksure Jack Ridgway is superbly acted by Chris Constantine, all swagger and insouciance, delivering his barbed pro-Manchester, anti-Yorkshire remarks to perfection โ he is the boyfriend you hope your daughter never brings home. Chris doubles up as sometime suspect, taxi driver Terence Hawkshaw with an interesting 1970s style beard! How does he shave it off so quickly and grow it back again every night ? Then there is conniving, ambitious, feminist Tish Morgan played by Leah Brine with her eye for the main chance and the big scoop and not caring who gets hurt en route, and the survivor Maureen Long acted by Jude Bucklow, capturing the loss of joie de vivre and ultimate depression so poignantly.
That leaves just one character โ that of Megan Winterburn, uniformed sergeant and controller of the incident room. Meg is on stage for the entire show โ or if she isnโt I must have blinked and missed it. The play โ though being a quasi-historical record and about one perpetrator in particular, is really about Meg. Of her struggles against a male dominated workplace and her self-doubt and blame of how she may have missed something along the way. Her in-the-future reflections with Holland frame the story throughout underpinning each section of the investigation. Itโs a huge part and the core and crux of the performance and so chapeau to Alexia Jones for a bravado delivery par excellence. Absolutely super.
The play works on multiple levels. Yes, itโs about a famous police investigation. But its also so much more.ย Itโs a play about rivalries. Between different police forces, different counties, different regions, different sexes, different professions. Misogyny is rife, but so is distrust of others โ whether they be from Bradford, Manchester, Londonโฆย or non-coppers. Itโs a play about pig headed stubbornness, about detrimental devotion to superiors. About social bigotry. Itโs the 1970s in a nutshellโฆย
Ultimately the police get their man. But not through the thousands of hours spent on the investigation โ but a chance encounter by two uniforms in a red light district. Two years after Laptew had tried to file a report about the killer. The play thus is really about failure โ individualโs failures because of stubbornness, or devotion, or misdirection. Oldfield loses his job, Holland his marriage, Megan her self belief, Laptew his career, Maureen her confidence. Ridgway and Hobson survive to fight another day but tarnished by association.
Its only Tish that โwinsโ โ her career climbs from Yorkshire Post to Daily Mirror to Sunday Times. Whether we are left feeling she is a โwinnerโ is open to conjecture.
And finallyโฆ Towards the end of the play Meg comments to Tish about a book to be published about the Ripper and the investigation, that it is isnโt journalism, but merely โentertainmentโ and โtittle tattleโ. Itโs a reminder maybe that what we are watching is in some ways โentertainmentโ. A play in a theatre. About the subject of the book that Meg is decrying. Though Iโd suggest โThe Incident Roomโ is far from tittle-tattle.
There are thirteen characters that haven’t had a mention in this review, in the cast list. But without them this story wonโt ever have happened, this play never written. This top performance by Platform 8 Productions would not be showing. And its them that we should remember โ the people that ended up as a photo on a pin board in โฆย
โThe Incident Roomโ.
Wilma McCannย ย Emily Jacksonย ย Irene Richardsonย ย Patricia Atkinsonย ย Jayne MacDonaldย ย Jean Jordanย ย Yvonne Pearsonย ย Helen Rytkaย Vera Millwardย ย Josephine Whitakerย ย Barbara Leachย ย Marguerite Wallsย ย Jacqueline Hill
โThe Incident Roomโ plays at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath from May 1st to 4th 2024
Today’s protest at Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes over the appointment of PC Cheryl Knight into the rural crime unit despite being photographed riding with fox hunting associations, including the notorious Avon Vale Hunt, went peacefully.….
Devizes Police commended and thanked the protesters, “for the way that they conducted themselves.” Patronising is in the training manual.
The event passed peacefully, and no arrests were made. Online speculation there would be “trouble,” was unfounded; anti-hunting campaigners are passive by default. There are no grounds for claims made by PCC Philip Wilkinson, ousted by ITV for claiming to have โcovertlyโ monitored sabs committing public order offences.
Organisers of the protest, Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs, say “for over eighteenth years hunts have been prolific in breaking the law, and doing so with both the implicit and explicit consent, support and even membership, of those with the power to do something about it. Wiltshire Police deployed over 50 officers and multiple resources to turn their cameras on sabs, as terriermen await dig out instructions from the Avon Vale Hunt behind them.”
Superintendent Conway Duncan said: โWe know people want to make their voices heard and the right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, which UK police uphold and facilitate.”
“We had a presence at the event to do just that, but also as part of our responsibility to ensure the local community were not adversely impacted.โ
We hope they will listen and assign officers accordingly rather than with clear conflicts of interests. Please sign the petition HERE.
Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs replied in a Tweet, “how dare they even consider themselves worthy of praising the protestors. Wiltshire police are by definition of their own criminality, beneath contempt. We do not praise the way they are conducting themselves over this sordid affair, nor the 18 years of them turning a blind eye.” Ah, but it’s do as we say, isn’t it? Not as we do!
Ka-pow, ker-runch, ker-splat! Fear not good citizens of Devizes, waftastic Wiltshirecouncilman is here to save us from the evil delinquent Dylan and the Acne Street Gang! The devastating plan is to hold a “drop-in event to update on work to reduce youth anti-social behaviour in the town,” at the Corn Exchange from 9:30am to noon on Thursday 2nd March; that’ll give them a ruddy good telling off for sure!
Does anyone else see an immediate flaw in the plan? By very definition it’s counterproductive. Wiltshire Council send out a powerful message to our youth; their crimes are unacceptable, but we’re all fine with crimes committed by older people. Why not drop the “youth” tagline all together, and see any crime committed by any age with the same degree of urgency? Just, y’ know, a fleeting notion of fairness.
Way to go to marginalise society and section off a particular group according to age, that’s sure not to stoke the fire. And when can we expect a similar event to tackle crimes committed by adults, pray tell?!
We have a current issue in Devizes with some wayward youths, no one can deny it, it’s no secret, but from a minority. That’s the crucial point, all pigeonholing them is going to do is encourage a barrier between age groups and welcome more teenagers into the rut; you’re only going to make matters worse, you blind and foolish old fuddy-duddies!
We cannot expect to obtain upstanding young citizens by tarnishing them all with the same brush. Still social media is awash with pitchfork welding folk, condoning medieval punishments, and admin of these groups fail to deal outrageous comments promoting vigilante violence; look at yourself, publishing your futile online vengeance on youths, and still then ponder why they rebel so. Ever heard of a thing called an endless circle?
Places of real-life social interaction are no better, full of elders firing daggers from their eyes at any younger person who happens to pass by. I’ve spoken to young people about their fear of going into cafes for the dirty looks they’ll receive, despite doing no wrong and not having any intentions of. What else is there here for them to do, where do you expect them to go?
Cllr Peter Hutton, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding at Wiltshire Council said of the event, “this will be an informal and interactive morning where you can talk to the people who are working with Devizes residents in all sorts of ways with a common goal of making the town a safer place to live.” But what about the people who this really effects most? We must readdress the balance here, focus too on the victims, not just the criminals. Children and young people are disproportionately more likely to be victims of crime, particularly the most serious crimes, by any age group including their own. And where are the group most affected by this issue between the set hours of 9:30-noon? At school or college most likely.
The very fact they’ve been excluded from this event sends a shiver up my spine. It’s as if to say they’ve no valid point to bring to the table, or any they might have, are worthless, amidst this wealth of grownupโs experience. Why not make the time later, so it’s convenient to all to cast their views? Why not bring this โroadshowโ to schools and colleges?
As we age it’s all too easy to forget how it feels to be younger, but not giving young people the benefit of the doubt is detrimental to them reacting angrily against the system. I may’ve been criminalised in my youth, but day-to-day I forget those occurrences, wish I was that age again, only because I view it through rose-tinted specs. It was never as easy as memory serves me. I rebelled, and much of the anguish came from my elders; the powers that be, parents, et al. They never understood, I felt trapped, a child in an adult world, and reacted with rebellious anger. Why? Because it was a thrill to, it exposed a crack in the boredom, an escape.
Yet top-heavy Conservative thinking Wiltshire Council and Police are backing a government which has acted far worse than these few wayward kids. They’ve lied their way through government, they’ve profited and partied while ordinary folk watched their loved ones die. They continue to drain every penny out of public services, to reduce the education budget to the point the teachers must strike, they’re determined to increase the poverty divide to line their own pockets, and we ignore it in order to focus on some naughty children. They are hardly setting the shining example of moral upstanding citizens. As Michael Jackson said, “if they wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
Or perhaps a more poignant musical quote could come from Woody Guthrie, “some will rob you with a six-gun, some with a fountain pen.” Purchase a security light for your home if you favour being robbed by the energy companies rather than some hoodlums in your shed at night.
Here’s a better plan, councillors, et al who follow the blue rosette, resign from your Conservative Party, and stand independently. Show them you don’t side with criminals before invoking your hypocrisy on the youth. For our young are no fools, and I, for one, salute them for taking a stance, I applaud their patience and endurance with the disgusting way they’re being treated.
Some will resort to crime, it’s a terrible thing, I wish it didn’t have to be this way, and I certainly would never condone it. But they’re not alone as a generation; history proves time-over during eras of abject poverty crime will increase. It’s not a problem with “youth of today” rather a problem with a minority of youth, historically. Rubbing their faces in it, plotting behind their backs isn’t going to help.
Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, an advocate of conservatism, says of the event, “this is a great opportunity for members of the public to hear first-hand the importance of the work that is being done as a result of the Home Office funding to tackle youth anti-social behaviour in the Devizes area and focus on ways to help prevent it.” But what’s his views on rural crime in general, to have called hunt saboteurs only gathering evidence of crimes committed by those who should be considered mature enough to know better, “balaclava wearing thugs,” when we’ve all seen the recent concrete evidence as to who the real thugs are?
The only smidgen of positive came from inspector Ben Huggins, Devizes sector Policing Inspector, who said, “we recognise that there are some anti-social behaviour issues in Devizes at the moment. We are and have been tackling them. My officers will always respond swiftly and robustly to reports of this nature; however, we know more needs to be done and this is not a problem that can be solved by us the police alone. So, this initiative is very much welcomed – involving not only the agencies we already work with but the wider community. Hopefully, we can all resolve this problem by working together.”
It goes without saying, we offer our eternal thanks to the bobby on the beat. I certainly don’t envy their job at times like these, and in having to deal with the issues which arise from this, but there’s radical thinking we need to put on the table in order to tackle it, not the seemingly militant stance of conservatism. Communication with the youth is key, obviously, for crying out loud, including them in events like this, allowing them a voice.
Give a little to take a little, isn’t it? Treat them with respect and that respect will come back to you; see if it doesn’t, but apply something out of Robocop it will never be solved and we just go round in circles. I welcome the idea of this gig, but if they wished to build bridges, making it time appropriate for those most affected to attend would be logic, really, one wouldโve thought, or are we just a community of hypocritical pitchfork welding rednecks?
My thought for the day, as Iโve permission to republish an article by the Hunts Sabs Association, suggesting with relevant and shocking examples, Wiltshire Police are lacking in pursuing these rural crimes.
I will direct your attention to the piece, but figure Iโd attempt my own spin, else whatโs the point in owning a blog in the first place?! So, Iโm desperately trying to see the other side of the coin, to avoid accusations of bias. But every time forced to the opinion fox hunting and other blood sports is gratuitously barbaric, trail hunting, for many, is a smokescreen, and our police are clearly not proactive on the issueโฆโฆ
We trashed our common room in art college despite warnings they’d close it, and eventually they did. My bitterness toward the decision was driven by naรฏve self-centred arrogance of delinquency, but there came a point of feeling guilt that future students wouldn’t benefit from the facility due to our incompetence; reactionary anarchist I once was!
I ponder this โfew ruined it for a restโ lesson as I browse hunting social media groups and pages. To momentarily steer against the hunt sabs, or FWGs, as is the favoured term weโll use hereafter, an abbreviation of Frontline Wildlife Guardians, these glossy and glorious shows of countryside pursuits are embellished with glamorous images, (as our featured image of the Tedworth Hunt,) promoting family, fundraising events, that while a world apart from my own lifestyle, the legality and moral obligation of it is not entirely inconceivable, and the thought it’s not all just a charade hiding a cruel blood sport is a possibility, for some hunts.
Though as FWGs collate irrefutable evidence some hunts are clearly ignoring the law and continuing hunting by using trial hunts as a smokescreen, and in doing so are met with violent retort, county constabularies are working with campaigners and nationally progress is gradually happening, Wiltshire Police are accused of failing by comparison. The well-publicised poor policing of the violence at Lacock on Boxing Day is clear it needs addressing, FWGs report the incident is the tip of the iceberg.
Got to rub the worry-lines of my forehead here. The article points to five ongoing investigations theyโve been reliably informed are ongoing with the Avon Vale Hunt. It states, โalongside a Hunting Act investigation, there are investigations into assaults on sabs: in January, a Bristol sab was punched in the head by an Avon Vale terrier man who had been stopped digging out a fox from a badger sett. The saboteur was knocked unconscious and spent several nights in hospital with a brain bleed, precisely the sort of serious injury that can have tragic consequences and as ironically highlighted by Avon Vale fox hunting Tory MP for North Wiltshire James Gray in the โOne Punch Can Killโ campaign.โ
Iโm glad to hear theyโre investigated, but itโs hardly proactive, where are the police when these assaults occurred? Intelligence should tip them off when hunts happen, and they should be policed akin to Saturday night at a city nightclub; thereโs terrible acts of violence hiding in our rural fields, and not just on wildlife. Instead, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs told the Hunts Sabs Association, โwith so many criminal investigations and allegations ongoing, we would have expected at least a modicum of police suspicion that these gangsters could possibly have been killing foxes, and also arenโt opposed to throwing the odd punch โ or ten โ at those of us who try to stop them and just maybe they have been doing exactly this for decades. Instead, what we have faced from the police is an unleashing of bias and abuse of power as our publicly funded police service is being used to protect a violent criminal hunt to carry on breaking the law.โ
โWe also had several officers tell us we could remedy the situation by โleaving the areaโ whilst simultaneously acknowledging we were there lawfully. Can you imagine them telling someone being assaulted on the high street that they should go home and leave the assailant in peace?โ
Besides, eyes of suspicion are on police bias over the Lacock Boxing Day bash-a-sab fest, being one of the two officers affiliated with the hunt personally reportedly took time to chat with her pro-hunt friends and โturned her backโ on the violence. The sabs claiming โshe was not just an ex-rider, we are also told her own horse was at the hunt on the 27th December 2021, being ridden by a friend of hers, who โ we have been told โ is also the partner of the violent terrierman responsible for the brain bleed in our Bristol hunt sab.โ
The public deserve to know if officers on the scene made any calls for advice or back up, Police say they cannot correspond as the incident is under investigation. Police officers swear an oath of impartiality, the PCC doesnโt and Phillip Wilkinson made full use of this on Twitter, calling out FWGs as โbullies,โ suggesting he was โnot impressed when I witness grownups wearing balaclavas screaming in face of children who just happen to be riding a pony,โ yet doesnโt appear to be able to back this bold claim up with evidence, and why, oh why would anyone take children to a fox hunt anyway?! Iโm not associated in any manner with this group of Wiltshire Hunt Sabs and they never reveal their identity to me, but his claims are vastly different from my own dealings with them, as they appear to be the pacifist campaigners one would obviously perceive them to be.
A thread/ So @pwilkinson_pcc thinks hunt crimes are โrumoursโ. Maybe this clueless Tory politician – himself a barely-elected last minute stand-in for disgraced fox hunting criminal Jonathon Seed, doesnโt actually know whatโs going on. Perhaps he could ask @WiltsRuralCrime..1/10 pic.twitter.com/RTojItUVov
— Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs (@WiltsHuntSabs) March 11, 2022
If there are hunts really following the law with fake trails and they are in control of the bloodhounds to prevent them side-tracking from the scent of passing wildlife, as they insist they are, theyโre unfortunate victims akin to the future generations of art students in my common room scenario; if some canโt be trusted, and police are informed, educated and trained to investigate, or as accusations suggest, seem to bizarrely favour the illegal pro-hunters, I say pull the plug on the lot, ban trail hunts and apologies if you really trail hunt legally, but the few ruined it for the others.
Iโm drawn to the Tedworth Hunt, for example, who parade an โEast Kennet Fun Ride,โ as a Facebook event, defining it as โ3 or 8 miles of beautiful riding on the Wiltshire Countryside with optional jumps.โ Not for me, but Iโve no problem with this. Yet the accompanying photo shows a fellow dressed in traditional hunt uniform loading bloodhounds onto a trailer. Why would you need dogs if youโre only horse-riding I ponder? Why does the Tedworth Hunt carry pistols if itโs only a fake trial, does a fake trail open-fire first?! And one more question Iโll relay next paragraph, as, admittedly, therein lies my lack of knowledge on the subject, perhaps thereโs good reason for it, I dunno, no one tells me, but why still call these hunting-related happenings hunts at all, and why would anyone support the philosophy of butchering of wildlife by subjecting the activity to replica scenarios if they didnโt secretly wish fox hunting to return? Would it not be better to rid ourselves of the entire culture surrounding it?
Armed Tedworth Hunters hardly project the same image as our featured one
The Wiltshire Hunt Sabs are the only ones who will communicate with me on the subject respectfully. This will post on social media and be met with many comments in support, and a few aggressive, hate-filled pro-hunt responses, but not one will contain any polite or reasonable counterargument, no one will invite me to view it from their angle, leading me to wonder why, if everything is tickety-boo, all dandy and legal, why they project this rage, why do they seem to hire these thugs to accost and assault members of the public for merely attempting to protect the wildlife they themselves claim to love and appreciate? Why all the hate if theyโre operating legally, it doesnโt add up, unless, I conclude, theyโre hiding something.
I note posts on hunting Facebook pages about how they love their hounds, but weโve seen some shoot them dead if they underperform. If trail hunting is supposed to be this fun and harmless pursuit, itโs hardly non-competitive for the hounds they claim to adore. The point is, no matter how much I scan these glossy representations of modern hunting organisations, they suffer inane hypocrisy; why persist to support something historically barbaric and inhumane?
Because they claim theyโre not fox hunting, the pre-Hunting Act excuse of culling is defunct, and the argument for trail hunts seems to rest on this baffling โtraditional valuesโ defence. For this Iโd like to point out Victorian coalmines employed children to sit in dark passageways for twelve-hour shifts, their only glimmer of light being when the cart pulled into their section and they tugged it along to the next. Yet to suggest we send children down mines, that they donโt actually have to work down there, just sit there in the dark because it’s โtraditionโ would be ludicrous, but not unlike this concept of trail hunting.
A rather odd looking trail hunt
Yet, as observed by our Cobra Kai, PCC Wilko, they love taking their kids out to butcher wildlife, apparently, which is, to be frank, twisted beyond all reason, and concludes; itโs impossible to live rurally and be impartial towards blood sports. I could label โscreaming in face of children who just happen to be riding a pony,โ as complete and utter codswallop for the purposes of propaganda but that would imply the law are defending the unlawful, which cannot be true; whoโs zooming who? Who knows what to think anymore? Other than perpetually the argument never settles, so obvious answer is ban it completely, it no longer serves a purpose, only causes friction.
Get a new hobby, preferably one unsupportive of murder!
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes on hold for a moment, because this is a beautiful, epic journeyโฆ. M3Gโs seventh release, Rooks, poignantly pulls on the heartstrings when presented by the rise and fall of aโฆ
Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing their classical music talents….. Wiltshire Music Centre announces new Spring season with some extraordinary listening experiences on offer in the new year. Wiltshire Music Centre is a unique and contemporary 300-seatedโฆ
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in the sphere of electronic music and music technology. On the first Thursday of the month The Barbican held a concert commemorating Daphne’s centenary, where sound and music fair access partner, Nonclassical,โฆ
Make no mistake, thereโs a civil war under our noses, which comes to an apex when blood-thirsty predators triumphantly parade their wrongdoing on a day when most of us struggle out of bed to reach the fridge. Judge for yourselves whoโs the goodies and whoโs the baddies here, but pray tell me youโre not party to this obnoxious pageant? I mean, hardly โChristmassy,โ is it, unless of course, Santa puts a bullet in the head of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for not keeping up with the herd?
Posing a question in a headline, Iโve learned, attracts hits. Usual method is for me to then waffle endlessly, circling the question but never really answering it, until, only sometimes, at the conclusion. Iโm gonna swap, answer it now, get it out in the open. Can we stop Boxing Day hunts across Wiltshire?
Donโt be disillusioned, and apologises for bursting any bubbles; the answer is no, not a chance, pal.
Despite good news last week that the Wilton Hunt Ball has been postponed due to the omicron outbreak, we all know pandemic restrictions last year didnโt bother them, and with reference to breaking news of government Christmas parties, flaunting the law for the most powerful in society doesnโt need investigating, according to police.
I mean, whatever did happen to the inquiry as to how hunting organisations pushed for a drink-driving Avon Huntsmaster to stand as Wiltshire PCC, costing the taxpayer over ยฃ3million for a re-election? The carpet is looking lumpy, how much more can be brushed under it?
Every avenue I explore on this subject gets blocked, no one in any position of power to help wants to address the issue. That is a total and utter disgrace and they should, quite frankly, hold their heads in shame.
Make no mistake, Boxing Day Hunts arenโt the bee-all-and-end-all of hunting, but theyโre the most important hunt on the annual calendar, because the audience it attracts. The Countryside Alliance will try convince you droves arrive in support. True, Boxing Day hunts aim to condone and promote the tenet, crucial in their campaign to turn the Hunting Act 2004 on its head. Though many onlookers remain oblivious to the cruel realities, while others will be lobbying against it.
If all is not lost, councils of both county, town and parish levels can take action, if they wanted, ban it on their land, or at least refuse to accept invitations to, and disallow council land to be used to meet, thus reducing the celebration of blood sports and gradually eradicating the archaic and brutal custom.
In a heartfelt campaign, non-profit organisation, Keep the Ban, urge concerned folk to contact their councillors, celebrating success when Keswick Town Council in Cumbria decided to revoke their invitation to the John Peel Hunt. Locally, the wonderful Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs informed me Bradford-on-Avon Town Council โhave banned both hunting and culling on their land at town council levelโ but reckoned, โitโs mostly symbolic, although there are definitely council owned farms (tenant farmers of WCC) that do cull, so a wider wildlife protection policy is probably going to be more use.โ
However, fresh from a meeting, Alison Kent, Clerk to Pewsey Parish Council replied yesterday, โthe decision was to allow the Tedworth Hunt to meet in the car park on Monday 27th.โ A local hunt which the Wiltshire Hunt Sabs claim โweaponised their horses against sabs.โ Why would they do this, without anything to hide?
Armed Tedworth Hunters
My first port of call is Wiltshire Councillor Laura Mayes, who despite as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, this is not her area of expertise, it must be said, is always willing to humour me and answer my endless questions on any random subject, and I thank her for her help. Although, her answer was unswerving; โI have done some digging and asked Cabinet colleagues and we all agreed that WC has no power to take any action, re trail-hunting as it is currently a legal activity. Any illegal activity would be a police matter.โ
Wiltshire Council may convince themselves nothing illegal is happening, yet I argue, like a speeding driver, for them, the thrill of the activity outweighs the carnage it might cause. Iโm no prude, I can understand it must be exhilarating to ride across the hillsides in pursuit of a target, addictive even, given hunting is ingrained in their psyche, passed down through generations. If an arsonist wandered into a fireworks factory with a lighter, would WC turn a blind eye, safe in the knowledge setting it alight would be illegal, therefore the arsonist would resist the temptation of their own obsession?
Countryside Alliance website outrightly states they oppose the hunting Act 2004, claiming itโs โbad for rural communities,โ even, and, get your head around this brazen irony, โbad for animal welfare,โ and a โwaste of police resources.โ If they feel like this, and nothing is done to prevent them, how on Godโs earth can you expect them to not pursue a wild animal if it was to be caught in heat of the moment on this supposed fake trail?
Letโs take the last part of the CAโs stance; on Boxing Day police resources will be stretched, on a day theyโd rather be peaceful Iโd wager, because theyโll need to be present across the country where the crowds gather to observe this pretentiously parade of their unforgiving activity as a magnificent pageant. I have to wonder how much police time is spent keeping an eye on the hunters against policing the meetings. I also emailed Wiltshire Police to ask how they would actually patrol a hunt, horseback Iโd imagine being the only effective method.
I also wished to enquire what their relationship with the hunt sabs was like, if they supported the portfolio sabs are building to suggest unlawful acts are indeed taking place. Only this week, they posted a video to their Facebook page clearly showing The Royal Artillery Hunt rioting on two deer in an SSSI area on Salisbury Plain Training Area on Saturday 4th December, and Huntsman, Charles Carter, did nothing to call them off; something the Daily Mail suggested put the sabs โat warโ with the Army.
A spokesperson for the sabs told me, โIf something is being used as a smokescreen for a crime then either itโs an illegal activity or the law needs addressing!โ Face it, Western Huntsman John Sampson in Penzance, was only found guilty of being in charge of dogs which killed a cat caught in the hunt on a Cornish housing estate, because a neighbour filmed him from their window, shamelessly lobbing the catโs dead body into a nearby garden. If it wasnโt filmed, there would be no evidence. A clear indication hunters need monitoring, but while my press office contact with Wiltshire Police is usually responsive, they felt the matter needed to be addressed by the Rural Crime Unit, and passing my queries onto them was the end of our communication.
Should the police wish to respond, I can amend this appropriately, but time is pushing forward to Boxing Day, and my only line of information comes from The Wiltshire Hunt Sabs themselves. Far from a Batman-Chief Commissioner Gordan relationship, where Gordan doesnโt necessarily like the vigilante but compromises on the grounds they share the same goal, the Hunt Sabs were keen to criticise Police.
โI can show you a clip of an officer blocking a byway,โ the sabs expressed, โwhen challenged he demanded evidence that they were illegally hunting, which the sab asked โwell if you stop blocking the public right of way, I can get you some.โ He refused.โ Whatever happened to inspectorโs hunch aside, if investigation isnโt gathered by official resources, someone has to, furthermore, isnโt the officer acting unlawfully in blocking the byway, itโs a public right of way?
โYeah,โ the sabs replied, โaccessing the byway was first a small section of ORPA (other routes of public access) so even though he had no idea what the public access rights where, he still chose to block it, even after offering to show him on an OS Map.โ
Playing devilโs advocate, I supposed, his defence would be they were potentially there to โstart troubleโ when the hunters were doing nothing illegal. But how can he tell if the police donโt even follow the hunt? Have the Sabs ever seen police patrolling a hunt, keeping up with it to insure nothing illegal occurs?
โThereโs no history of us starting trouble,โ they replied. โThe hunts always claim that but we donโt. Weโre just there to make sure they donโt kill. Wilts Police have never to my knowledge ever patrolled a hunt. Any time they are there it is to โkeep the peace,โ which in reality means blocking us from stopping them killing. The police donโt even know the law; on one hunt recently, two officers turned up and had to Google it on the way. I had to explain to them everything that was happening, and to be fair they listened, but initially they were too quick to take the huntโs word that they were legally hunting. They have no training on this, I personally have emailed the rural crime team and asked, theyโre not interested.โ
I gulp at this, as while Wiltshire rural crime unit certainly isnโt responsive, the sabs said Gloucestershire Police now have โoperation hunt,โ and have said they will go out to hunts. But the real hard pill to swallow was my contact with The Wiltshire Hunt Sabs felt contacting the authorities was futile, adding in their understandable frustrations, โI canโt see them doing much, I personally have given up bothering with them.โ
Still, all they ask for doing the tasks the police you pay for should be, is the price of a coffee to help their campaign funding, and they ask you sound your objection to Pewsey Parish Council for allowing the Tedworth Hunt to meet in their carpark, or contacting your MP and councillors in general, as Boxing Day Hunts go further than simply potentially bludgeoning a fox or any other animal which might accidently stumble into the crossfire, to death, but also act as a celebration and promotion of such cruelty.
I wish the season of goodwill to all men could extend to all life, all godโs creatures great and small, and Iโm a realist who cannot accept nothing unlawful is happening here, when photograph and video evidence is there for all to see that clearly it is, and I thank the sabs for their time when others in power barely gave theirs, and for the difficult and arduous task they take on.
Part 1: An Introduction March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. He embarksโฆ
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary.โฆ
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th Decemberโฆ
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events inโฆ
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs moreโฆ
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwith aโฆ
No, I didnโt imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song,โฆ
Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool andโฆ
Who in Devizes has been upsetting the local gutter press now?! Detached from a relatively good idea, Wiltshire 999โs, a blog which once reported current crimes and police matters, a tabloid version called Wiltshire Live has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, most likely to prove more profitable.
With their Facebook page constantly phishing for personal info, it publishes regular slapdash magazine style articles gaining popularity as it trundles. Unlike the historically founded Newsquest group which publishes newspapers such as the Swindon Advertiser and Gazette & Herald, without the restraints of mainstream journalism it is able to deliver some shock tactical pieces, it seems with a penchant for highlighting Devizes as a pretty dire place to live.
Reactionary it maybe, every angry click appeases its advertisers, Iโm sure many Devizes residents have seen yesterdayโs posts on local Facebook pages by the journalist herself, which states out of 22 areas of Wiltshire, measured by a crime-rate map, designed by an independent website, Devizes has the โgreatest spread of crime out of all of the Wiltshire’s areas included in this database.โ
Gut reaction to this is understandably to deny it, be shocked and exasperated, because we live here and we love it, and we walk around feeling relatively safe. Those who have lived elsewhere perhaps even more aware Devizes is not Wiltshireโs answer to Mexicoโs Tijuana, where approximately seven people are murdered daily, yet neither is Wiltshire Live making it out to be. It does clearly state the county is in the top ten safest places in the country, already knocking some severity off the claim.
Originally then I determined to scrutinise this โcrime-map,โ ready to criticise the website for defamatory claims on Devizes, but hey-ho, story checks out; miserably, Devizes does score highest, but only in the way the reporter was reading it. Starter for ten, the โcrime mapโ runs on quantity against population percentage, so effectively an all-out bloodthirsty massacre scores a point, equally does a Parkinsonโs sufferer caught with a spliff in his own garden, or a chancing teenager pinching a porkpie from Morrisons.
Tranquil Devizes, photographed yesterday!
There is no judgement on the severity of the crime, then, only that it was reported. Again, in Wiltshire Liveโs defence, it does say itโs, โvital to consider, is that many crimes sadly go unreported, making statistics like these never 100% accurate,โ ergo, if Devizes currently has the greatest spread of crime out of all of the Wiltshire’s areas included in this database, something failed to mention is that Devizes also has a knack of reporting incidents, and thatโs surely the mainstay to solving and counteracting them, rather then, ha, you know, just reporting scare stories for hits; correct me if Iโm wrong.
So, reading the data differently, Devizes has 988 reported crimes, against Swindonโs 11,503, Salisburyโs 3,177 and even Melksham, with a similar population, weighs in greater than Devizes, with 1,064. Much as Iโd liked to have changed my angle on this story, and defend Wiltshire Live, today I find another, separate story, saying โpolice are investigating a new TikTok trend called ‘heartbeat challenge’ – where kids play loud music outside a house and kick the front door in time to the beat.โ While this is obviously happening nationally if not internationally, Wiltshire Live informs โhouses in Wiltshire have been targeted,โ and then adds the cliff-hanger, โincluding a home in Devizes.โ One has to wonder why Devizes has been singled out, named and shamed, when homes across the county have been hit by the appalling prank.
The issue I have is, running scare stories for clickbait like this is counterproductive against suggesting methods to help reduce crime, it only exists to sensationalise, in my honest opinion. Because an article like this is followed by many not bothered to read it fully, consequently resulting in a bombardment of social media comments like Chinese whispers. The article is shabby, given another six months another small town could top our terrible statistic, in journalistic jargon โitโs got legs,โ yet not through content, rather the social media storm in a teacup itโll no doubt cause.
Firstly, to face the blame game is the young, obviously. Too wrapped up with other social media sites to defend themselves on โfogieโ Facebook, itโs fair to say many a petty crime is caused by younger people, bored with nothing better to be doing, because playgrounds are in state of disrepair, activities and social clubs have been axed or underfunded, and theyโre set an example by a lying, lawbreaking government set to increase the rate of criminal activity in order to make themselves look better. In times of discontent crime rates rise as a consequence, history proves this.
Letโs look at the most serious of crimes, taking anotherโs life. In Devizes last year we had an arson attack, police arrested a man on suspicion of murder, who was twenty. Karl Quincey was 35 when he was convicted of killing Barry Cooper in 2008. Michael Chudley was 63 when he shot James Ward in the head with a sawn-off shotgun in 2013. None of them best described as โyoung,โ unless youโre Bill Wyman. Even ancient murderers in Devizes disproves this banal theory, The Devizes Petticoat Murder, Benjamin Purnell was 51 when he was charged with the wilful murder of his wife, Emily, in 1889.
Devizes at its best; proper job fantastic!
One commenter duly noted out of the 988 reported crimes, 978 were bike theft, to receive a plethora of amused emojis in response, although according to the crimerate website, and despite a known spate of bike theft, itโs not true. Rather, more shockingly โThe most common crimes in Devizes are violence and sexual offences, with 457 offences during 2020, giving a crime rate of 39. This is 10% higher than 2019’s figure of 411 offences and a difference of 3.95 from 2019’s crime rate of 35. Devizes’s least common crime is robbery, with 5 offences recorded in 2020, a decrease of 80% from 2019’s figure of 9 crimes.โ
So, there is a decrease in there, failed to be mentioned in the article. But whoa, sexual offences are on the increase, in all parts of the county. This, in a week when scare stories about drink โspikingโ in clubland rolled mainstream media, young girls suggesting they donโt bother going out anymore due to the danger of drugs being either put in drinks or even injected when in close proximity. In running an entertainment guide, I want to encourage people to go out, but to enjoy themselves, yet Iโm in the dark here, not been โclubbingโ sinceโฆ…well, Iโm not intending to disclose how long!
Therefore, it was deeply concerning to of read this trend, and Iโve contacted both Devizes Police and The Exchange nightclub in Devizes for their thoughts, on what theyโre doing to best prevent this, and what to do if you think youโve been spiked. Most of all, I was interested to know how common this was in Devizes, because, and I even said this, even though incidents have been reported in Salisbury and Swindon, I felt clubbers here were less likely to be victims, because Devizes was far safer. And I still believe it is, despite this damming report.
Should I change my angle on this too, I wonder, and go with on premise set out by Wiltshire Live, that youโre statistically more likely to be a victim in Devizes than any other small town in Wiltshire, as I would hate to think Iโve projected the notion itโs not something to worry too much about, provided you take the precautions set out by those organisations I contacted? Who knows, because Iโm still awaiting replies from both the Exchange and Police. A shame if they feel it superfluous to respond, when youโd think itโs a message in their benefit to get out.
Hold the front page, I plead with both organisations to reply, so we can advise how to avoid such terrible incidents, because Iโm not writing this shit for prestige or cold cash, Iโm writing from the heart, and care not if you wish to advertise your business here, or if this gets sufficient hits for Word Ads.
Furthermore, if youโve been affected by a sexual offence like being spiked, in Devizes, and feel youโve some advice to give others, please do contact us, your anonymity will be respected.
Iโll say it how it is, thank you, and it is that Devizes is no more dangerous than any other Wiltshire market town, in my opinion, based on wandering around at night hunting gigs and cider! It is disheartening to hear crime is on the increase, yet I strongly suspect this is true nationwide, and I bid while you take care out there, not to rise to the bait and fear for your safety in such a great place to live.
There, given my tuppence, for what itโs worth, can I have my tea now?!
Words by Ollie MacKenzie. Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.ย The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project comeโฆ
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโฆ
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades wereโฆ
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as theโฆ
Hereโs a fun and free game to play for all the family over the school holidays, where you can find out which one of you will be the new Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner!
Well, actually, itโs a bit rubbish. But face it, once our council tax hits the roof to pay the ยฃ1.4 million for another PCC election, after the Tories made what is technically known as a cock-up, you wonโt have the spare cash to buy another board game, so you might just as well print out this game board and make do.
You need five people to play the game, each player decides to take the role of a candidate respectively, no arguing now, not everyone can be Mike.
You will need to find a dice, who do I look like? Rich Uncle Pennybags? This isnโt Waddingtonโs you know. Oh, and some counters too, one for each of the following colour codes:
Blue: Conservative
Red: Labour
Yellow: Lib Dem
Orange: Independent
Murky Grey: Reform
Put your counters at the start and the first to roll a six, starts. Move around the board and the winner is the one who reaches the end first, democratic huh? But beware, if you land on a square corresponding to the colour of your candidate, you must obey the command written on it without question, as real police would. No Dirty Harrys here please; play fair, just like all the real candidates.
Best of luck, and have fun. Just think this could be the first Wiltshire election where the Tories donโt win hands down, but I doubt it, they paid me a backhander to rig the game! If you do win remember to whoop whoop, because that IS da sound of da police.
Truth be told, I get a tad nervy when a subject wants an interview via phone call. I worry of saying the wrong thing, or forgetting a fundamental question. Being Iโve chatted to Mike Rees, Wiltshire independent Police Crime Commissioner candidate on the dog and bone before, Iโm quite looking forward to hearing from him. He is so down-to-earth itโs like chatting to an old friend.
At the time he was at his boxing class, where he teaches various age groups, but I felt Mike sounded rather exhausted and slightly more despondent than his usual cheery self. Naturally I opened with asking him how the campaigning was going. โItโs bloody hard work, to be honest, Darren,โ he confessed, perhaps the very reason for his temperament. Mike runs a business, has the boxing gym to manage too, โand Iโm trying to get this campaign stuff down. I keep getting requests for more leaflets, and I just canโt afford that. Thatโs my disadvantage.โ
Is Mike loading his van full of campaign leaflets? No, teabags for the homeless charity Devizes Opendoors, donated by Malmesbury Victoria FC.
Hoping the focus will be entirely on Mike and his campaign, prior to the call I made a mental note not to mention, if possible, the other candidates and in particular, Conservative Johnathan Seed. But only a minute in I broke that rule, mainly because a post by Seedy popped on my Facebook newsfeed seconds before the call, and I noted it was sponsored by a company. Budget is everything when on a campaign trial, and Mike funds his himself.
However, sharing is caring on social media; I mainly see positivity for Mike, but newsfeeds are catered to taste, and thereโs that silent majority. โYeah,โ he agreed, โitโs the people not on social media who are always going to vote Tory, no matter what. Thatโs the people I canโt really get to.โ
This said, Iโve noted a number of known conservative thinkers in support of Mike, because the humdinger here is the importance of politics in the PCC role. Other candidates affiliated with a party insist this is political. I loved chatting to Lib Dem runner Liz Webster, though I asked Mike how he felt when, in the interview, she said he was โgoing for the wrong job!โ
This was where Mike cheered up. โYeah, chief constable; it did make me laugh! No, I donโt. Itโs the last thing I want to do!โ Mike knows exactly what the job involves. Thereโs this notion circulating we need a party-led politician for PCC, like calling a sparky for a plumbing job. Yet, in a political MP or councillor election anyone is free to run as an independent, and no one batters an eyelid. Mike agreed, informing me his focus is on the public, โon what the people want, you know. They have HMIC inspections and Wiltshire Police has come out as good. Do the public think that? Iโm not sure they do. Thatโs whatโs more important, not what HMIC says but what the pubic think about their policing.โ
So, I put another negative comment from the book of face to him, which said โwe donโt want a copper in the role because heโs institutionalised.โ Mike retorted, heโs been out of the cops for seven years, and been running his own business, โand Iโve seen things from the other side. Iโve seen real poor police service, and seen some good stuff. There are good cops out there, but some bad service, and some stories I get told, I just put my head in my hands. As someone who worked for the police for thirty years, I understand what theyโre going through. But I also get dismayed by it, because through my service we always wanted to do the best for the victim. It seems like theyโre more concerned with policing themselves than they are about policing the public. So, I worry for the public perception of them.โ
He reflected, โon my first day of training school, what we were taught; prevention and detection of crime, preservation of life and property, keeping the peace. That was the core function of the police, it just seems like weโve lost sight of that, personally. Weโve become to politicised, and I donโt like it.โ
One point Mike recently posted online, was concerning domestic abuse, stating he was disappointed with the House of Lords when 351 MPs rejected Amendment 42 of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which sought to instigate a national register of domestic abuse perpetrators and stalkers. I wanted to ask Mike, how one governs a police force if you have to align with political decisions you personally disagree with. โWell,โ he started, โIโm not afraid to speak up. This is what I see as an advantage for me; I donโt need the job, Iโm going in there to try make things better, because I care. I could sit here and moan all day but someoneโs got to put down weโre trying do something about it. A politician, I donโt think they think like that, they think rather differently. I understand what these people are dealing with on a daily basis, dealing with some horrible, nasty things, and the force is demoralised, recent federation survey showed us that, and things need to change.โ
โIf youโve got a demoralised police force, it doesnโt matter what policies and procedures people are coming up with, nothingโs going to work. Youโve got to sort your workforce out first, and get them to follow you, be inspired by you; and thatโs one of things I do.โ
Thereโs been progression since we last spoke, and I felt the need to mention the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill protests, supposing the successful Wiltshire candidate is lucky in respect that while weโve had a few protests, itโs relatively passive compared to Bristol. โNo oneโs got an issue with peaceful protest, have they?โ Mike responded, with his โown viewsโ about the Bill, โI donโt see the need for it, to be honest, I think the law is already there for what theyโre trying to do. I donโt see the purpose it serves.โ
โIf the violence is there, it can be dealt with now, under the current laws.โ Mike laughed off the concept a protest should be shut down if it gets too noisy, adding, โa slightly annoying protest? Whatโs that about? How can you judge โannoyingโ?!โ
โPeaceful protest is an absolute right in a democratic society, isnโt it?โ he asked me; like, yeah, I thought so too! โIf youโre going to be violent, then youโre going to be dealt with, and I think you should be dealt with strongly. If youโre going to infiltrate and cause violence, then you have to be dealt with strongly, thatโs the only way to deal with it.โ
To find myself agreeing with the police must be an age thing, but I do on all Mikeโs points! I only hope, on this reply, the โyouโ he uses is proverbial and not a personal warning! Thatโs the key throughout our chat, heโs an agreeable bloke. I noted if one wants to be violent, they will, and we went through other examples in British history, like football violence. And herein is my respect for the police, because if you see a fight happening on the street, you cross the road, avoid it, but the Babylon, theyโve got to be the ones who go and sort it out. I confessed; Iโd be completely shit at that! Mike relayed when, off duty, he stepped in to stop an unfair fight, โI told the lad who was getting a kicking to bugger off, which he did, then they set on me!โ The point is, most politicians, Iโd gather, would be like me, sheepishly walking away, hardly โcommunity policing!โ Mike has been there, and knows the shop floor duties.
A serious note ensued, Mike felt weโd lost touch with community policing, โitโs really important to build up a relationship with the community, they feel reassured and they talk to you, and when they start talking, you find, who the criminals on the patch are. We seem to have lost all that, mostly down to lack of resources.โ All candidates are requesting more funding is needed, in previous chats with Mike, he was adamant, while he agreed more funding is needed, itโs not the amount rather where and how it is spent. โItโs a combination of both,โ he told, โbut thereโs a lot of money thatโs wasted, Iโve seen it over the years, still hear stories now, that need looking at. The other candidates get to hear about that, because they donโt know people within the service, whereas I get to hear all that. Because people trust me, I have a good reputation.โ
Pet crimes seemed to be a focus for other contenders, but Mike claimed he hadnโt seemed much evidence of that, and, comparably, itโs not so much of an issue in Wiltshire. More steam to the notion, you need a guy with his ear to ground and a rapport with the workforce. Rural crime is different, โitโs due to a lack of policing.โ I added my tuppence on the lack of the Bobby on beat, and speed watching, and Mike agreed, adding volunteer community speed watchers felt they wasnโt getting supported by Wiltshire Police. โRoad safety,โ he stated, โis really important, you know. Would you rather have us tell you your house has been burgled or a loved one has been hit by a speeding car? Some say catching speeders when you should be catching real criminals, but what would you rather be told?โ
What Mike wants to see, is specials working with the community speedwatch, โthen they feel better because itโs being enforced, and everyoneโs a winner!โ Trust me to break the solemn tangent with a dig, โyep,โ I replied, โget them out of the office, give โem some doughnuts and fresh air!โ Ack, I used the doughnut gag, to the possible, and I very much hope it will be so, future police crime commissioner.
I wanted him to laugh it off, but he was feeling pessimistic about his chances, โI still think Mr Seed will get it, due to huge number of votes I have to get.โ It was a sour point to end on, but I didnโt type this up for nothing. Yet Mikeโs cynicism has the span of seconds, joking, โand Iโve only nine friends!!โ Although we love the cut off Mikeโs jib, without the equal campaign budget, it is up to us, to share his social media posts, and posters, this interview, and let our friends know, we donโt necessarily need a paper-pushing office-bearer in this role, if you agree, we need a fellow of shop floor experience. And man, Iโve not even mentioned fox hunting!
I did end on a topical subject for our arts and music-based zine, and asked Mike about pop crime; โcan we get Rick Astley arrested, or Ace of Base, or Venga Boys?โ
โHe shouldโve been sent down years ago!โ Mike replied, but retracted it on the grounds he does a cover of AC-DC, โand that sort of stuff, so heโs gone up in my estimation!โ What a genuinely great bloke! All the best Mike, weโre rooting for you.
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโฆ
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awardsโฆ
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best knownโฆ
Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโฆ
โPerhaps it will take electing a determined and feisty female Lib-Dem to turn that around in standing up for our Police and communities.โ Wiltshire PCC Candidate Liz Webster opened up about her life, priorities for the role, and her reasons for standingโฆ.
If our jolly chinwag with Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner candidate, Johnathon Seed, last month went supernova, hijacked with best intentions by those offended with field sports (oops, did I say field sports, when I meant the inglorious barbaric biota slaughter dressed as a requisite pageant?) and we found solace with the hospitable dude, Mike Rees, who independently campaigns for the same position, itโs all kind of, I dunno, left me in limbo.
My apologies if you came here looking for impartiality, you should know by now, I donโt dither on traditionalisms. Still, Iโm between a rock and hard place, questioning the necessity for politics within this PCC job thingy, as while Rees favours his wealth of on-the-job experience, Seed is adamant politics is essential.
I went searching for a third opinion, and found it with the Liberal Democratโs PCC candidate, Liz Webster. But I discovered more than I bargained for. Away from campaigning, Liz runs a farm with her husband and stressed her passion for the future of farming. โIt’s calving season,โ she explained, โand I’m deeply worried about trade deals that will be a disaster for our environment, animal welfare, food standards and for shoppers and farmers alike.โ Liz and her husband set up campaign website, Save British Farming, protesting the Governmentโs current Agriculture and Trade Bills.
I didnโt want to dwell on my aforementioned ruckus, wanted the focus today to be what she would bring to the table, but I felt it imperative to ask Liz for her views on fox hunting, if she encourages the law to be upheld on these matters, oh and the boy’s ruckus too!
โIโm too busy responding to residentsโ concerns about speeding, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, pet theft, police station closures, drug dealers and cyber-crime to pay attention to personal spats between other candidates,โ she stated.
โHowever, I have had very many anxious residents ask me asking about fox hunting, so here is where I stand. As an animal lover and keen horse rider when young, I have never had any involvement in huntingโ. My husband and I farm at the northern tip of Wiltshireโ and we work with Matt Prior on his Marlborough Downs: Space for Nature project to conserve and protect wildlife on our farm.โ
โAnimal welfare matters to me. which is why I’ve been campaigning for Wiltshire Police to treat the crime of pet theft much more seriously, and I’m having some success. I want the law strengthened in this area. Protecting our pets, farmed animals and wildlife is important.โ
โIf the voters of Wiltshire and Swindon vote me in as our next Police and Crime Commissionerโ, I will urge that all laws to protect our animals, including our wildlife, are respected and that we investigate and prosecute those that break the law.โ
Below is an extract of a recently published article which Liz penned. The section sets out her views on the issue, and farmed animal welfare, โwhich aligns with the vast majority of our citizens,โ Liz expressed, โand against those of our current Prime Minister, and apparently my Conservative opponent.โ
Take the latest discovery of his (Boris Johnson) opinions on foxhunting laws from an article he wrote for the Spectator in 2005. In it, he said: โIt is like skiing, in that you are personally tracing, at speed, the contour of the landscape, and then there is the added interest of the weird semi-sexual relation with the horse, in which you have the illusion of understanding and control. There is the military-style pleasure of wheeling and charging as one, the emulative fun of a pseudo-campaign.โ [our emphasis]
Boris Johnson, 2005
He argued that the foxhunting ban was โa Marxian attackโ by the Labour government on the upper classes and nothing to do with animal cruelty, and he urged foxhunters to break the law and keep killing animals.
Bizarre that he should totally disregard the will of the people that is still overwhelmingly against hunting, irrespective of the relationship with the horse, semi-sexual or otherwise.
Itโs one rule for them and another for us: let them eat chlorinated chicken and hormone infused meat! Boris Johnson also completely ignores the will of the people on food and animal welfare standards.
Recent polls have shown that between 80 and 90% of the public are aligned against lowering our standards to help deliver a quick and grubby USA trade deal.
Righteousness aside, Iโm forever baffled by his weird semi-sexual relation with the horse, but Iโm too nauseated to ponder deeper, and thereโs not much which dribbles from his Gugelhupf-hole that makes sense to me. But we must push on, the importance of politics in the duties of police crime commissioner is my kingpin, and I asked Liz, โwhy?โ
โOur Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) takes decisions that impact on all of us,โ Liz replied. โThey set the strategic priorities for our Police Force. Those decisions will reflect their values, those values are why people join together in political parties. The political alignment of the candidates should provide voters with assurances and clues about how those decisions will made.โ
โMy values are liberal; that means being open, tolerant, caring and respectful of others, being inclusive, strong on the importance of communities and our environment but also willing to listen and to compromise to make real progress. For example, I believe that putting real effort and resources into community cohesion will prevent crime and limit damage. That’s why I’m โa Liberal Democrat.โ
โNow that we, the people get to choose our PCC it is important that we know their values, where they stand on the key issues and what their priorities are. Mine are set out in my Plan for Wiltshire. I have experienced very directly the reality of inadequate action, funding and systemic failure. That woke me up to the reality that I should not stand quietly and watch but get involvedโ to prevent it happening to others.โ
If you supposed Liz Webster just woke up one day and thought, I know, I fancy being police crime commissioner, think again. The revelation came to her a decade ago, when her eldest son, Henry, was the victim of a hate crime in one of Wiltshireโs schools. โHe was attacked by a gang with hammer. Like all parents, I trusted The Ridgeway School and the Local Council who are the Education Authority to be responsible for my childrenโs safety while they were at school.โ
โWhen they failed to protect Henry,โ Liz expressed, โthat fundamental belief ensured I campaigned hard for three and half years for real change and eventually succeeded in getting an independent inquiry (Serious Case Review) published. That set out the lessons that had to be learnt to stop horrific attacks on children from happening again. I have written an article which touches on some of these lessons.โ
โThe Conservatives say they dislike โbig government.โ Their grip on power over the last decade has seen our public services cut to the bone. Wiltshire Police โ already at the bottom of the funding league table โ has suffered deeply damaging cuts at the hand of Conservatives. This has ensured that our communities are less safe and left our police force feeling undervalued.โ
โSeven Conservative MPs, two Conservative Councils and a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (and all mostly male)โ have allowed this to happen. Perhaps it will take electing a determined and feisty female LibDems to turn that around in standing up for our Police and communities.โ
Liz has said, โWiltshire is one of the lowest funded police forces in the country because of an outdated formula which favours densely populated urban counties,โ a notion also high on Johnathon Seedโs agenda. Yet while Liz recently wrote to the Home Secretary, she hasnโt responded. Meanwhile, hey-ho, pictures are circulating of Mr Seed blushing over Priti Patel as if she was Marilyn Monroe, (with a decided lack of facemask and social distancing measures I might add, though perhaps being beside the point!)
Isnโt this proof of a self-righteous, monopolising attitude with conservatives, where taking total control of not only government but our councils and policing too is paramount; thereโs no room for any alternative? You donโt got to answer that; I put it Liz!
โThe Conservatives are all about being in power,โ she replied, (you think?!) โBoth they and the Labour Party centralise power. Liberals believe in decentralising power. That’s why I’m passionate about setting up and properly supporting Community Safety Forums and making sure our senior Police Officers attend and listen to residentsโ real concerns.โ
โThey make campaign promises are not anchored in reality, like my Conservative opponent’s pledge to recruit an extra one hundred police officers with no explanation of the vast increase in the precept that it will take to get anywhere near this or the vast practical problems of getting it done.โ
โI want our Government to fairly fund Wiltshire Police and to be smart about how we use technology and increased community engagement to tackle and prevent crime and get local parish, town and Wiltshire and Swindon Borough Councils working with charities, school, businesses and volunteers alongside our Police.โ
โThe Conservative candidate is attacking the policies of the Conservative incumbent PCC, the Conservative Council, of which he is a member, and the Conservative Government that he surely voted for. He is gaslighting his past very active campaigning to get rid of the hunting ban, ignoring the fact that he has spent four years sitting on the Police and Crime Panel where all these issues and policies on the Police estate were discussed, just to try to get himself elected.โ
โBoth the Labour and Conservative PCC candidates have been sitting councillors on the Police and Crime Panel and yet neither have installed cost effective technology to deal with speeding in their wards and neither said a word about the police station closures until now.โ
โAs PCC I will be straight forward with people, โmake communications and community engagement my priority. Look at smart ways and good ideas being used by other police forces. Look to get our Police, local councils, schools, businesses and community organisation working together rather than against each other.โ
Iโll tip my cap, shine your shoes for a shilling, guvnor and suppose itโs the working class in me which, throughout my warming to Liz and her policies, maintain clarity in Mike Reesโs argument; a PCC with on-hand experience is greater than a political standpoint.
Her angle and priority on rural theft of pets, trees and hedges, no matter how big the budget, and how many new officers are employed, in a rural setting cannot be everywhere all the time. Ergo, a bigger budget allowing more officers and resources will solve crimes and capture criminals more efficiently, but itโs not as proactive in preventing crimes as on-hand experience. Learned that from Telly Savalas, they call it โthe hunch!โ
But Liz thinks, โunfortunately, I think Mike Rees is standing for the wrong job. I think we wants to be Chief Constable not our Police and Crime Commissioner. Judging by his comments, so does my Conservative opponent. A Police and Crime Commissioner is not a military or police operational role. No one standing in this election should be trying to replace our Chief Constable.โ
Yeah, but Mike looks more like Telly Savalas than Liz does!
โThe role of the PCC is to involve our communities, enhance their support for and engagement with our Police to make our lives safer. They are also required to listen to the public and give candid feedback and direction when community needs are not being met or when real issues like pet theft are being ignored or downgraded.โ
โThe PCC is there to set the strategy for safer communities and to influence how policing is delivered to prevent crime and protect people and ensure that victims voices are heard. They are a bridge between the people and the police.โ
โA successful PCC should strive to deliver less crime, less victims, safer communities and a happier police force. You do that by making good collegiate decisions and by working effectively with others that can help deliver those goals.โ
โMy family were victims in one of Wiltshireโs more high-profile cases back in 2007 when Wiltshire Police was run by the Police Authority and not by the PCC. We found that as the victims of this horrific crime we were marginalised. The whole emphasis was on the prosecution of the case and the protection of the offenders.โ
โMy son and several of the offenders were minors. But my son did not get same protection as his attackers. To this day some of them enjoy the luxury of anonymity as their identities were protected from the media. My sonโs pictures and our address were printed in newspapers within hours of the attack. We had no help to deal with the media onslaught at the same time as we dealt with a serious medical emergency.โ
โIf I am elected, one of my key jobs I will ensure that Wiltshire Police are reminded to that the victims of crime need real help and support.โ
Itโs inspiring motivation from a moving and terrible incident, summed up by her campaignโs strapline: Offering a more victim-led and preventative approach to the role of Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner. But how do we prevent rural crime such as the aforementioned animal theft, and even speeding through sleepy villages, when theyโre so hard to police due to the openness of the countryside?
โFarming in a very rural corner of Wiltshire,โ Liz started, โI am thoroughly awake to the difficulties we face dealing with rural crime. Thatโs why I have put forward practical policies that will help tackle such crimes. For example, I want to immediately abolish the position of deputy PCC. After discussions with our Chief Constable, I want that money used for a Traveller liaison officer to ensure cohesion throughout our rural communities.โ
โI want to create a county wide DNA database for livestock to tackle sheep and cattle rustling, a growing area of violent, organised crime. This approach would combine that with reaching out to ensure all Farm vehicles and items are logged and safely returned.โ
โIam committed to using smart and cost-effective camera technology to tackle speeding in our villages and rural areas. This will empower our excellent Community Speed Watch teams. It will identify those driving without paying their road tax and deter and detect offenders of rural crime.โ
Liz recently posted thoughts on an article about what controls the state should be allowed to hold on to once things start to get back normal, as Covid infections and fatalities reduce. She wrote, โthe balance between safety and freedom is an eternal tug of war, but itโs paramount that the suspensions of freedoms agreed in a health emergency donโt become permanent.โ But with governmentโs talk of free speech reform, and scrapping the bill of human rights, on top of predicted poverty increases due to economic downturn, tensions are bound to mount. How would police in Wilts under Lizโs control react to possible protests, racist and hate crime, and acts of violence bought about by this tension?
โMy values are centred in the Human Right Actโ Liz affirmed, โit is effectively the incorporation of the document, drafted in large part by the UK, post the atrocities of the Second World War โ the European Convention on Human Rights โ of which the UK is a founding member. To withdraw from a commitment that guaranteed certain rights for all, regardless of your political affiliation is anti-British.โ
โIt is of great concern that the economic and financial impacts of Covid19 could see tensions run high. That is why we need a PCC who will make communicating with the public a priority and really values community engagement, as I do. A PCC who will, through social interventions and crime prevention policies seek to settle tensions rather than preside over their explosion.โ
โAs a mother I experienced directly what happens if things are ignored and tensions are allowed to build to flashpoint; it ends in violence and threat to life, to the life of my son, Henry. Having lived through that nightmare, I would never sit by and allow that to happen to other families. I am someone who wants to enjoy living in a county which is free and safe.โ
โThe rights to free speech and peaceful protest are fundamental. They have been respected in our country down the years. The tolerant attitude they represent alongside the rule of law is part of why Britain has been respected around the world. But should protest or hate speech break the law, lead to damage and violence then, of course, the lawbreakers must be held to account and brought to justice, whoever they are.โ
Very liberal response! But thatโs where its advantageous to have a Lib Dem PCC, rather than another Conservative whoโll surely simply toe the line. โYes, I can confirm that I am a Liberal Democrat,โ Liz said. โWithin our broad set of Liberal principles, I am free to think for and be myself. To use my strengths to communicate openly and honestly without being told what to do or say. The Conservative Party has become increasingly extreme and intolerant, forcing out good people because they disagreed with Brexit and had the courage to say so. No wonder Nigel Farage was happy to instruct his candidates to stand down at the General Election and so many UKIP members joined the Conservative Party. Another Conservative PCC will see more of the same. Wiltshire will stay at the bottom of the funding pile.โ
I donโt know about you, but all I see these days, perhaps due to lockdown, is internet and phone scams. Itโs an international issue rather than county, but does Liz think police could do better in this area? โMore international action is needed to control the internet and telephone scams,โ she explained, โbut yes with such a widespread issue the only answer is to educate and support people as best we can. This is why the PCC needs to have the ability and motivation to work closely with other those who support vulnerable people in our communities. Our businesses, particularly the smaller ones and those run by self-employed people are also an increasing target of these cyber criminals. I have a meeting with a womenโs business group next week to discuss the increasing levels of crime they are experiencing. I will report back on this issue.โ
Domestic abuse rising is another topical post hot on Lizโs social media campaign, stressing the importance of calling a helpline. โPerhaps as the only female candidate this issue of domestic abuse is high on my agenda,โ she expressed. โIt highlights the need for far more education and empowerment of women. That is the real way of breaking this dire crime that means people cannot feel safe in their own homes.โ
โI also welcome and back enthusiastically the Ask Ana initiative. This has seen training staff in pharmacies to enable victims of domestic abuse to simply “ask for Anaโ”. That code will see them taken into the pharmacy private space and be linked to trained police and support staff. This is a great example of what I mean by harnessing all of our communitiesโ various resources to combat crime and keep people safe.โ
โI am also fully committed to ensuring the essential services offered by Domestic Abuse charities are properly funded and resourced. I have met with the leaders of our domestic abuse refuge in Swindon. If I am elected, I will go above what has already been done to ensure this vital service is protected.โ
Iโm grateful to Liz, and immediately warmed to her and her campaign, she has good sense of direction, motivation for engaging positively and justly in the role, and given her save British Farming campaign, will no doubt have a close and honoured connection with Wiltshire folk.
Iโm supposing now there may be a need for political perspective within the role of PCC, however much Iโve taken to Mikeโs approach. If so, I believe we must not take this disheartening conception that there is no alternative, as red. Youโre welcomed to name-call, assume my political stance, but Iโm growing evermore sceptical of the nodding dog which is Keir Starmer, but I wonโt bow to this Tory appropriation; there is an alternative, and perhaps, just perhaps Police Crime Commissioner is a great place to start the trial.
I thank Liz for taking time out of her busy schedule on the campaign trail, which you can find out more about here, and wish her all the very best. Still, none of them will beat Kojak in my honest opinion; cootchie-coo, he loves ya, baby!
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse releaseโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โMoroseโ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertainingโฆ
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21โฆ
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announcedโฆ
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing upโฆ
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleโฆ
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโsโฆ
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโฆ
To clarify, I like dunking biscuits into my tea, but if itโs not my cup of tea, and someone else wants to dip their biscuit in it, why on Earth would I have a problem? It affects me in no way whatsoever, it has zero consequences to my brew, nada.
If I dunk my biscuit into your tea, however, half drops off and dissolves into your cup, we might have a minor issue; itโs impolite and I shouldโve asked first. Truth be told, though, this has never manifested, because Iโve basic manners, and only dunk into my own tea. Ergo, I say; dunk, and let others dunk. Itโs a fair and just modern tenet, tasty too, you should try it sometime.
Since Henry VIIIโs Buggery Act of 1533, of which defines the term as โan unnatural sexual act against the will of God and Man,โ the timeline of LGBT history in UK law reads like the genocidal presupposing of a tyrannical third world regime. Wrought with disturbing arrogances, cruel and misconstrued judgements and fatal sentences, its roots lie biblically, a confine we no longer adhere our hearts and souls fully into, anyway. Least we accept the book was drafted over centuries of prejudiced editing by megalomaniac nutcases who couldnโt possibly have known the word of god any more than an amoeba knows the name of the pond it lives on.
As time moves forward, the religious connotations are secreted under political judgement, yet so inherit is our belief in chapters 18 and 20 of Leviticus, โthou shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination,โ and for the sake of obeying, it will be 328 years after the passing of the Buggery Act, that the death penalty for it was abolished. Hereโs my melon-twister for starters, if law had to be based on the apparent, word of god, what happened, when executing an offender, to deadly sin number five, แฝฯฮณฮฎ, or โwrathโ to us? And while youโre explaining that one to me, maybe explicate Luke 6:37 too; โdo not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven?โ
Hard to imagine, this would be the way of things until only fifty-four years ago, when despite restrictions The Sexual Offences Act 1967 legalized consensual homosexual acts, privately, and only for over twenty-ones. My own lifetime witnessed this step in the right direction continue. Through the hullabaloo of celebs bravely confessing and campaigning, even during the dawn of AIDS, as Boy George and many others colourfully threw it in their faces, pride to be homosexual was still controversial and a long way from general acceptance. The ingrained discrimination turned from angered hatred to taboo, and the butt of the joke. Dick Emery made his fortune; his angle was awful, but we liked him.
Sticks and stones, not quite as bad as the death penalty, though psychologically damaging, itโs been a rocky road to where we now sit, dunking our biscuits. A gender-neutral era of law, media acceptance and general consensus, where anyone can marry anyone, where the sexual orientation of pop stars is of no significance, and when a character in a prime-time childrenโs cartoon, namely The Loud House, can have two Dads. A notion as brilliant as the colours of a rainbow.
Even to look back as recent as twenty years ago, where Will Young โcame out of the closet,โ society has achieved something unthinkable given the history, and for everyone hung, to those necessitating toilet trading, and from those who hid in denial and shame to those queens who wafted it their judicious faces, despite your personal orientation, this is something, in my view to be proud of, and to celebrate.
Yet, when the social media manager of those ordered by government to uphold the law decides to acknowledge this acceptance, on the shortest month of the year marking LGBT History Month, by taking two minutes out of their day to add rainbow colours symbolising Pride, to the backdrop of their Facebook logo, cabin-fevered keyboard warriors gather to accumulate a thread of hatred comments, condemning the decision.
Yep, despite the repulsive and discriminating history, when we finally reach this trailblazing conjunction, Wiltshire Policeโs temporary Facebook profile picture is plagued by self-righteous little Englanders, again shamelessly twisting the narrative of positivity for their own wonky agenda. It comes from the same school of thought which devised โAll Lives Matter.โ Regardless of the plight of a cause, they have to have their share of the glory, less launch their toys from their prams.
Given the plight and horrors history exposes on the campaign, you really have an issue with this?
Largely, the feeble excuse for their prejudges was police should be out there, arresting people, as if every officer on the force gathered around one laptop, each clicking one Photoshop option. See here, it took me precisely two minutes to lone extract a rainbow backdrop off Google and paste it onto my logo, and I kind of like it, might keep it, if it annoys.
The other popular justification is in doing this, police are side-tracking and singling out a particular group, precariously extenuating the issue. Hummโฆ only, it seems by bringing it to your personal attention. Wiltshire Police explain their reasoning, โthe rainbow is a symbol of hope. It represents everyone, irrespective of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or disability. People are people. All of us need kindness, tolerance and acceptance. Please remember this when you post your comments.โ
Top answer is, survey says no; โJust accept people for who they are, there is no room for any form of prejudice, but I cannot help but think that highlighting individual groups just widens the gap, instead of building the bridge.โ Really? Two “buts;” you like buts?
Think historically, the death penalty denotes the gap started quite wide, awareness and celebration of said cognizance is a bridge building machine. Some need to take a long hard look at themselves, and dunk their custard cream in a fresh new cuppa. Growling at a rainbow like a dog barks at the moon; give me strength!
One can only conclude, even if itโs ingrained and those passing negative opinion genuinely believe theyโre not discriminating, they are. Your archaic notion of abhorrence is regressive, and yet again, unwelcome to general consensus.
If you trust thereโs no need to symbolise this progress, then thereโs no need to pass negative comment. But by the very fact you did, represents a definite need to; snakes and ladders. Because thereโs looming underlining issue, and it lies in your own psyche. Ergo, eradication is teetering, weโve come a long way; u ok, hun? If the reprehensible repercussions of this episode represent anything, it is not Pride, but shame, and evidently, the sat-nav of equality has not announced we are at our destination, quite yet.
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโฆ
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a selloutโฆ
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set after โJuliusโฆ
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโฆ
Is it campaign point-scoring, as the authorities seem to presume, or concern for health which encouraged Wiltshire PCC candidate, Mike Rees to volunteer to administer lateral flow tests? Whatever, the bottom line is discouraging anyone from attempting to help out during this crisis is bureaucratic nonsense.
And besides, just a brief chat with Mike recently, throughly convinced me his motives are genuine. He’s an open minded, authentic and down-to-earth guy, with experience in the field and a passion for the role.
Mike explains: “It’s with great surprise and disappointment that I have to let you know that I have been stopped, and apparently barred, from becoming a volunteer in the police effort to combat Covid19.
As a retired police officer I put my name forward for volunteer duties last year when the pandemic struck.
Mike Rees
This month I answered another call to volunteer to administer lateral flow tests to police officers and staff. I had a training session earlier this week and completed the online NHS assessment and passed to certificate my competency for the task.
Today I was expecting to attend a ‘dry run’ session however I’ve now been told I cannot attend as they have to investigate the ‘rules’ as allowing me to volunteer may suggest bias on their part because I’m a candidate for the role of Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner.
I’m disappointed and dismayed to be denied the opportunity to volunteer to support the police, a force I worked in for 30 years.
I’ve asked for the ‘rules’ to be clarified as I see no possible concerns.
For your information, I do not agree with this decision to bar me from volunteering.
I’m standing as an independent candidate, not aligned to any political party and volunteering was a personal decision.”
Mike is fast becoming the outside chance of becoming our PCC, and we’re backing him fully here on Devizine after his Malmesbury boxing club recently helped out the homeless, appealing forย donations of sleeping bags , food and clothes from locals and delivering them to the OpenDoors support agency in Devizes.
Plus, this is, by far, not the first charitable thing Mike has engaged in.
Busy day, chatting to Wiltshire Police Crime Commissioner candidates and The Wilts Hunt Sabs; something is conflictingโฆ
In 2012 five members of the Avon Vale Hunt, including the master huntsman and Wiltshire councillor, Jonathon Seed appeared in court charged with breaching the Hunting Act 2004. Though they all denied the breach before magistrates in Chippenham, Seed made a statement released to the Wiltshire Times,โThis is a private prosecution by the RSPCA and I believe that it has been commenced for political reasons, as their stance against hunting is well known and it is of great significance that Wiltshire Police, after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service, declined to take this case forward. These proceedings are an abuse of the private prosecution system, which needs to be addressed in due course.โ
And how best to address said abuse? Elect to become Police Crime Commissioner, thatโs how. Perhaps itโs an episode the councillor wishes would disappear, going on the rather defensive attitude he put up when I chatted with him about his campaign this morning. And for whatโs itโs worth, he provided some great ideas and valid points on subjects he attempted to divert me onto, but I was wondering where he actually stood on hunting, being, you know, itโs illegal, and heโs wants to be Police Crime Commissioner, just felt, well, a tad conflicting.
โOkay, so, not about the campaign then,โ he started.
But I think it’s relevant. โHunting is illegal,โ I pointed to the seemingly obvious, โsurely we would want a PCC who upholds the law?โ
โAre you suggesting that I wouldnโt want the law upheld?โ came Jonathonโs reply. Had to say, far from suggesting anything, the question was built behind the datum the huntsmaster for the Avon Vale hunt appeared in court with allegations he broke the law. And upon experts in the field, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs, who seemed convinced laws had been broken that day. โThe badger sett incident,โ they confirmed, โitโs clear evidence they were illegally hunting. Itโs illegal to use terriers underground (the exemption is in relation to birds, which isnโt relevant on a hunt.) There can only be one reason for sending terriers to ground and that is to flush a fox.โ
โYou were,โ I checked, โhuntsmaster for the Avon Vale hunt at the time?โ
โYou will already know that I was,โ Johnathon stated, โthe allegation against me that was unfounded was dropped and is covered in the blog.โ
Wiltshire Hunt Sabs claimed, โit wasnโt unfounded at all, the current Huntmaster (Stuart Radborne) was found guilty of interfering with the sett. The fact they couldnโt prove hunting act charges is yet more evidence that the law around hunting needs tightening.โ
โDo you have anything to ask about the campaign,โ Johnathon inquired, โor are you just interested in the Avon Vale Hunt?โ
Yes, I do. So, I asked him, โif successful in the post, would you therefore discourage police to act against hunting offences? I mean, I understand, because they’d be personal friends engaged in something you firmly believe in. Also, would you support a turnaround of the law to allow hunting?โ
And thus, came the jaw-dropper.
โI have spoken to thousands of people about policing over the last four years,โ he said, โresidents, officers, volunteers, victims of crime and nobody has wanted to talk about hunting other than trolls online.โ Rather than be labelled a โtroll,โ by Tory boss-cop I allowed myself to be side-tracked. Jonathon was keen to lobby government for further funding, โWiltshire is the third poorest funded force per head of population in the country, it needs overhauling and I will work with government to achieve this.โ
โI have spoken to thousands of people about policing over the last four years,โ he said, โresidents, officers, volunteers, victims of crime and nobody has wanted to talk about hunting other than trolls online.โ
Funds would put more officers in our communities, and offer better support for training and officers and staffโs mental health, and I cannot argue with this, though I pondered why it should be; are we all so better behaved in rural Wiltshire, so we donโt need as much policing as an urban area? I know I am!
โHistoric underfunding of the force will continue to be an issue due to the way the funding formula is weighted towards some areas,โ Johnathon explained, โThe current PCC has done nothing to improve the situation and I believe the public deserve a PCC who will lobby the heart of government for better funding.โ
I overlooked the oxymoron; “heart of government.”
In true Conservative fashion he blamed Labour, because fourteen years isnโt enough to up a budget. โThe formula was created under Blair so naturally favoured labour voting areas,โ he reckoned. โGetting the central government funding addressed has to be a priority. Just because we are a rural county doesnโt mean we donโt have sophisticated criminals operating in our towns and villages; domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation, modern day slavery, county drugs lines all affect our communitiesโฆ.โ
โAnd fox hunters?โ I added!
โItโs a shame that without knowing me or talking to me you would assume I would actively seek to have the law overlooked,โ Johnathon asserted. โI do not and would not want our police to do this for any crime. The Chief Constable has my full backing to ensure that the law is upheld. There is no picking and choosing who the police โpolice.โ Operational policing isnโt the responsibility of the PCC.โ
On the front seems Johnathon has good policies, but theyโre undoubtably all politically motivated. Do we need a local councillor in the role, or someone who has been actively in the field, policing? I also spoke to independent candidate Mike Rees, passionate about delivering a quality police service for the people. And have to admit, it was akin to chatting to eager musicians when interviewing them. In fact, if thereโs irony in voting for a police candidate suspected of breaking the law, the only similarity is that Mike is in a heavy rock band called โthe Lawless!โ
He told me of annual fundraising gigs at Level III with a plethora of other bands, which has raised ยฃ13K for his own charity โFatboyโs Cancer Charity,โ which aims to bring a smile to children who are suffering from cancer or have other life-threatening illnesses. He was also adamant he loved animals, and aside his respect for traditional aspects of rural life, more needed to be done to enforce the Hunting Act. Mike went as far as telling me heโd like to set up a hedgehog rescue centre in his retirement.
โI know thereโs a difference between what the boss says and what the police see,Iโd like to see a happy workforce, not demoralised.โ He expressed a want to improve the service, the relationship between officers and the bosses, and the public, as heโs been on the beat in Swindon, working up through surveillance and CID to counter-terrorism, called in to help during the London bombing. โNo wool pulled over my eyes,โ Mike added.
โWeโve seen year on year increases to the policing precept, yet no tangible changes or improvements to the service the public of Wiltshire receive,โ Mike stated, โseems evident to me and the many people who I speak with, that the Police sometimes do not have the resources to deal with many of the basic responsibilities that we expect; and all too often we see the cracks of struggling service delivery being papered over with a slick marketing campaign, or dare I say it, a social media post!โ
โI know that savings can be made, and I also know how tax-payers money is sometimes squandered by Police managers,โ he continued. โA politician who doesnโt understand policing can be told that something is required or best value, and will just accept what they are told. I know whether it is actually nice to have or need to have. Spending needs to be scrutinised very closely and I would look to do that to ensure money is diverted to the right resources and needs.โ
Though Mike said Jonathon Seed was โvery critical of Independent Candidates on his Facebook page recently. To my knowledge, I am the only independent candidate for Wiltshire so his comments are clearly directed to me!โ But โthe last thing I want to do is get involved in a continual slanging match with any of the other candidates.โ Which is just as well for them, as an amateur boxer, I wouldnโt argue!
Jonathon Seed was โvery critical of Independent Candidates on his Facebook page recently.”
He compared his own campaign budget to Johnathonโs on the precept he doesnโt mind if he doesnโt get the job, estimating Seed has โabout ยฃ50k to spend on campaigning, Iโve got about ยฃ50, and I begrudge paying that! Money is squandered when it should be to improve services.โ
The hunting issue will always be a touchy subject in any rural settings with opinions so divided. But the law is the law, and if anyone upholds it, it should be Police Crime Commissioner. Though while Mr Seedโs blogposts call for his innocence, they also state: โMillions of people in this country engage in perfectly legal fishing, hunting and shooting pastimes and should not be demonised and bullied by a small but vocal minority who do not approve of these pastimes,โ and โIt is utterly irrelevant to the vast majority of the electorate whether or not a political candidate had a lawful interest in country sports along with millions of other law-abiding people.โ Left me wondering how defending wild animals under lawful methods, could possibly deemed demonising and bullying.
โIf you wanted to ask me something sensible about fox hunting,โ Johnathon said, โrather than the usual stuff that has been well rehearsed and I know doesnโt resonate with rural voters, ask me my views on the change to trespass and who it will apply to.โ
But I didnโt like to ask, changing rules to trespass blatantly is there to halt operations from protesters. The Wiltshire Hunt Sabs said, โweโd love to know if he still hunts, we havenโt seen him out with the AVH, but there was a rumour he may go out with the Tedworth. I suspect he has paused for the election. Itโs interesting he calls concerned members of the public โtrollsโ. How arrogant do you have to be to think that regular members of the public arenโt interested in his background as a fox hunter!โ
Iโll let the hits on this article decide, and leave it there. Iโm all for deciding the next Police Crime Commissioner based purely on a doughnut eating contest, might be easier, might even win myself! Then youโd all be buggered!
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams Whilst probably best known for his editorship of โPrivate Eyeโ magazine and thirty-five years asโฆ
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill withโฆ
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, weโฆ
by Mick Brianimages from Lauren Arena-McCann The playwright Tom Stoppard is probably best known for his work โRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadโ, his absurdist comedyโฆ
You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singersโ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknallโฆ
Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singles likeโฆ
Daniel Jae Webb reports for Wiltshire 999s that the organiser of the house party, in Wick Lane, Devizes on Friday night, has been issued a ยฃ10,000 fine by Wiltshire Police, for ignoring a police warning.
Officers were called to the house and requested the party was be shut down in line with COVID-19 regulations, and claims their pleas were ignored. A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said, (which Iโve had to amend the basic grammar of, like a primary school teacher): โAs we continue to navigate through the COVID pandemic, we all have to take personal responsibility for our actions and adhere to the regulations.โ
โDespite a warning, the organiser allowed the gathering of 80-100 people to continue, which is in clear breach of the current restrictions. Which states that โno gathering of more than 30 people may take place indoors, which would constitute a rave, if it were outdoors; amplified music, at night and due to loudness, duration and time it would likely cause significant distress to locals.โ
Partygoers were dispersed and the hefty fine was issued. Itโs a substantial amount for anyone to digest, the website stated, โthere is no discretion given to set a lower amount.โ Job done police, story dusted and archived. In my opinion, though, Iโm afraid it feels far from over and arguably raises a number of questions.
I feel impelled ask then, firstly, was it shut down for safety reasons, due to the pandemic, or as the Wiltshire Police spokesman clearly states here, โamplified music at night would likely cause significant distress to locals?โ
I cannot help but agree in this era of the pandemic we all must consider the risks and act accordingly, but the environment must be attained for people to want to do this, and take action appropriately, rather than feel they are being forced by law. Yes, the organiser and everyone who attended was putting their own health and the health of others at risk, and were foolish to do so. And when the officers attempted to engage with the group, they should have taken heed. Yet they should have wanted to do this of their own free will.
The harder the law, the more likely the rebellion toward it, though it may be important for the law to be enforced, an unaffordable fine such as this is draconian. Itโs likely to have an adverse effect from the youth, who understandably see their lives disrupted in the same manner as everyone else, yet with no clear indication of ideas are being pitched to support them.
Weโre casting our children out into the riskiest easing of lockdown ruling since it began, by returning them to school and college, and though you may deem it necessary, can you not also see they must feel like lab rats?
From all ancient philosophies and all of history we see a continuous pattern; people wishing to gather and celebrate is ingrained in our psyche and culture. And letโs face it, the conservative ethos set to stamp out partying long before this pandemic.
The breakup of the trend of the free festival scene in the eighties, only constituted a bigger problem to attempt to outlaw, the raves in the nineties. Retrospective youth cultures we can reflect back on now, and realise and agree the occurrences of these events were not only ground-breaking for artistic progression, and memorable for the attendees, but in reality, harmless fun.
Regulating and eventual normalising of the Criminal Justice Bill, saw something far worse; a political and social rejection of society, and a fight between police and people; a disgruntled conflict.
The psychological effect of lockdown is only just beginning to be felt, as we venture away from it. You feel isolation for the elderly was difficult, how was it for our younger generation who, by the illusion of timespan, six months feels far longer? The need in younger people to party must be recognised, as Iโd imagine older generations reflect upon their youth misdoings. Rather weโre stamping our authority around and closing individual cases with a pat on the back and a job well done. We should, as a society in the dawn of change, be considering how we can arrange and organise celebratory events and parties sensibly and safely.
We have managed to adopt and implement new systems for shopping, for eating out, travel, and all other activities older generations wish to engage in, we should now focus on ways to keep the younger satisfied too. I donโt profess to have the answers, but believe by thinking together, and frankly, giving a hoot about our entire population, we can work out methods to accomplish it. Furthermore, if ideas were suggested and implemented so parties could go ahead safely, the need and want to break the law will surely lessen.
Break up the party, yes indeed, as weโre far from out of the water, but chuck people a paddle. They need a release; they need party and celebrate now more than ever in these trying times. If not, issue 10k fines to all who break the regulations; every grandad who forgets and leans over you in a supermarket, every businessman internationally jetting around the world, anyone, I dunno, who felt like driving across the country during lockdown to visit a castle, perhaps?
So, Devizine exists to highlight and promote local events and I try my best, apart from the odd bit of cheeky satire, to steer away from political matters. Yet Iโm both heartbroken and at a loss for words this afternoon, chatting online to Pewsey mum, Tanya Borg. But within it, there is an event I need to let you know about, in this horrid mess, please read onโฆ.
Tanyaโs two daughters, Angel and Maya were abducted by their father five years ago, and taken to Libya to live with his family. After being granted full custody in both nations, Tanya travelled to Libya to rescue them, but Tanya explains when they tried to get away, they were bundled in a car and driven away. She hasnโt seen or had contact with them since.
Red tape between the Crown Prosecution Service and Wiltshire Police has prevented further action from being taken, and under advice of the CPS, Wiltshire Police have closed the case. โThe CPS are saying they donโt tell the police what to do,โ Tanya explained, โBut Wiltshire Police are saying the CPS donโt want to take the case.โ I cannot imagine how distraught she must be. โYou have no idea,โ Tanya continued, โAngry. Frustrated. Sad. My daughters need help.โ
In fear for the treatment of her daughters, Tanya went to explain how, after a court order for joint custody, their grandmother wouldnโt allow them to leave the house, so Tanya tried for full custody, but they ran away with the children. Angel is now twenty, and Maya just eight. A Daily Mail article exposes the issue, with a video of the fatherโs family driving them away. It is with hope the video will pressure British authorities to reopen the case.
This is where I asked if Tanya had or has any further contact with them, and the short answer was โno.โ In England we complain about this, whinge about that, the bus being delayed etc, we really donโt understand how life is in Libya. โBecause there is no authorities inside Libya, due to the situation, as Libya is at war with itself,โ Tanya detailed, โit is dangerous, and that is their excuse, but now there has been a newly elected government, they could at least try, that is what is most upsetting, they havenโt even tried. I feel like my children donโt matter, because I am not of status.โ
Firstly, Tanya has a GoFundMe campaign page, where you can contribute. โItโs a corrupt country, and money talks,โ she explains, โI canโt do anything without it.โ Tanya has spoken to Claire Perry, who passed it onto the Minister of the African Department, โwhich say,โ Tanya claimed, โThey cannot do anything.โ MP Danny Kruger has been emailed, which was my first port-of-call, and we await a response.
Tanya plans to take a protest to Downing Street on the 8th August, but has also staged an event in Pewsey on the 25th July. Meeting at the Cooperโs Arms at 3pm, the protest will follow the eminent carnival route. โMy eldest daughter,โ Tanya explained, โwas carnival princess back in 2011.โ They will be chanting โFree Angel and Maya,โ but ask protesters observe social distancing and wear facemasks. โI would love as many people to attend and support,โ she hopes, โto help me bring my babies home.โ Tanya will also be organising a local coach for the Downing Street protest.
Navigating my footing becoming trickier as guy-ropes criss-crossed my path midst the shadowy maze of tents, still I chased. For reasoning I need not go into, the pursued managed to grab two twenty-pound notes from my wallet, one of which I snatched back, the other he made off with. The fleeting moment had gone from bad to worse, at this huge, anarchic festival. Now I was alone, chasing this kid. He had encouraged me not to follow, threatened to โcarve me up.โ I doubted his word; โcarve me up,โ over a score?
The notion arrived at my frontal lobe when he abandoned escape, turned to flash a blade at me. It only registered once I was an inch away, and he took a swing with the knife, then, thankfully, I took heed of common sense; wasnโt worth twenty quid. I backed off; he ran. He got a note off me; sucks, but I kept my life.
Reminiscing this feels like a movie, you know, where the hero escapes with seconds to spare; utterly thoughtless to have taken it that far, thereโs no reruns in real life, no alternative ending. I find myself contemplating the what ifs, in this era where knife crime is rife, so the media informs us. I stagger at the whole stupidity of it, worry for youth, in times of desperation, economic slump, taking to the streets armed is a sad reality.
To those who adopt this philosophy, look at my pitiful example of yore; youโre not a โplaya,โ not doing anything fresh, nothing gallant or outrageous, zilch โgangstaโ pal, just foolhardiness you cannot, and will not see as such until you get wise, or on a hospital bed.
Least, I speculate, should think ourselves lucky in Wiltshire, where by comparison I believe the chances of being a victim of knife crime is way less. But how much less, and is it on the increase? What would happen to me if I was caught with a knife in Wiltshire? I thought Iโd hassle Wiltshire Policeโs PC Paul Woodbridge for answers. If you do take a knife out to play, maybe you couldnโt care less what the police have to say. Yeah, alright, youโre free to skip the interview part, but I beg you scroll to the conclusion under the line.
Now, the Salisbury Journal reported in January that Wiltshire is bucking the trend of increasing knife crime, and ours has gone down recently, The Swindon Advertiser ran a similar article, but back in April last year it reported precisely the opposite: โStats show Wiltshire knife crime up 214 per cent in five years.โ So, after an increase, it seems the rate is dropping locally. I asked Paul how this reflects on the knowledges of the police on the streets?
โIโm not sure where your stats come from but you may be referring to some PA figures released recently which show a hike between 2013 and 2018,โ he explained. โIf thatโs the case then the explanation is that our recording of knife crimes has improved in that time along with more people coming forward to report such crimes, thanks to the increased publicity around this issue. Overall, our knife crime figures show Wiltshire is a safe place to live; the statistics show knife crime has dropped by 18% across the county in the past year (Sept โ17 to Sept โ18) but we won’t ever rest on our laurels, and will firmly deal with anyone who we find carrying a knife.โ
The assumption is violent crime, particularly knife-crime is predominantly a city problem, how much better does our market towns like Devizes, Marlborough and Melksham compare to our larger towns and cities, like Salisbury and Swindon? โBy the nature of population sizes,โ PC Woodbridge clarified, โand generally speaking, smaller towns do not experience the same extent of crimes as larger towns and cities.โ
Yet though Iโve been planning this article for a while now, only this morning a post on a Devizes Facebook group claimed their son was attacked by youth with a knife, and was cut across the face.
What would PC Woodbridge advise if youโre threatened with a knife? Or is this a no-brainer; I mean, Iโd run, right? But what if youโre cornered? Does he think self-defence classes are a good thing? โAs you said, the best advice is always to run and get help.โ He continued, โget somewhere public where lots of people are, if possible, and call the police on 999. Self-defence classes are down to personal preference, but I would always look to put as much distance between me and the knife as I could.โ
I wanted to gage PC Woodbridge on the wonky ethos of carrying a knife for protection, what would he say to those who do? โStatistics show that that those who carry knives are much more likely to be injured than those who donโt. Carrying a knife does not make someone safer and you will be arrested if caught with an illegal knife and not a good reason to be carrying it. You could then face time in prison.โ
What about armistice in a town like Devizes? What would happen to you, what would be the process if you walked into the police station and handed over a knife? PC Woodbridge explained, โif you were to hand in a knife then we would take your details and provided there had been no offences committed, then it would be disposed of. Donโt forget in September last year we had a countywide knife amnesty as part of Wiltshire Policeโs knife crime campaign, Op Sceptre, where up to 500 knives were handed in to police stations across the county and disposed of safely. We will plan other amnesties in the future.โ
I asked him, what else can we do to raise awareness and promote knife crime safety? โInformation and education are paramount. Our recent Op Sceptre campaign has been very successful. During a week earlier in March, we spoke to people and gave out leaflets to underline the message: ‘No knife, safer life.’ We also do a large social media and media campaign. Search for โOp Sceptreโ to see what was covered.โ
โOp Sceptre may be over for now,โ PC Woodbridge continued, โbut our work doesn’t stop, weโre never complacent about knife crime and I want to remind everyone that we will respond to any intelligence and information given to us by the public; knife crime can affect anyone. We also continue working with schools and colleges to keep the safety and educational messages in the public domain.โ
So, thatโs what the police said, but with all due respect to PC Woodbridge, and though Iโm grateful for his time, Iโd wager the ones we really need to reach out to have skipped past this, donโt care for the what the police have to say. So, I reply, okay, fair enough, for now, to hell with the police, itโs just me and you here talking, right? I donโt write like the standard press, out to make money. Readers expect an honest review, so I write from the heart. Take the start of this piece for example, journalists never open on a real personal incident, okay?
I know, understand and appreciate the world mayโve dealt you a shit card. Maybe your folks did a shit job at being parents, maybe you reckon this government are selfish, backstabbing bastards, and Iโd say, yeah, youโre right, mate. Must be loads guilty for how crap your life is; but the thing is, it doesnโt matter who youโd like to point the finger to, when you choose to go out and take a knife, no one is to blame in that instance, but YOU.
It is your decision. If a government doesnโt want anarchy through poverty, why would it apply pressure through consistent service and educational cuts, when the magic money tree exists? I donโt know; maybe because itโs hidden in a walled garden. They pick it for funding war, bailing themselves out by buying votes, and lavish luncheons. I swear, itโs what they want you to do, takes the pressure off them. Channel your anger at them, see? By taking a knife to some kid who maybe dissed you out of tenner, may be shagging your girlfriend, or not paid you for that eighth, taking your frustration out on any Joe Bloggs, youโre playing into their hand. Iโd even go as far as saying, alright, we live in the real world; bods mug each other off, and if so, if has to come to it, take it out with fisticuffs.
The vicious cycle is that you take out a knife, and they need to take out a knife, and she needs to take out a knife and everyoneโs taking out a fucking knife. Break that cycle, or, simply, someone is going to get killed, if not you, them, but shit, youโre still gonna do time for it. That is pointless and damn right stupid.
Thank you to PC Woodbridge for his valuable time, Iโm not one to say if this will make everyone stop and think about it, but if just one does, thatโs one life saved.
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