Damien Moore commented...

The Police Commissioner for Merseyside recently announced a tax-hike on Southport residents to pay for policing that will no doubt be spent in other parts of Merseyside. The Commissioner also held a consultation in Bootle, but wouldn't hold one in our town.

Perhaps daring Damian can put his army uniform on and protect the people of Southport himself.

He might as well do something useful for all the money he is paid, other than visit places for photo opportunities.

Leaving aside silly, party political point scoring Moore has a point.

About 10 years ago I worked alongside the Police on a project in the town centre area of Southport. This ran between the hours of 21:00 through to 03:00 each Friday and Saturday for three weeks.

On duty with us the first week were two Police Officers (one of whom thankfully was Climmo), two Specials and two PCSO's.

The other Police officer was mobile in a van. The two PCSO's comprised of a pint sized scouser with obvious height hang ups and a man mountain of a young lad.
Of the two Specials - the best that could be said about them was their uniforms were smart.
One was a Sergeant who seemed to believe his primary role was the chatting up of young ladies. The other made Private Pike off Dad's Army look assertive and professional.
I asked about manning levels saying, 'is this it - where are all the rest of the Bobbies'?
The reply was - 'yes, this is it' and, 'Concert Square in Liverpool'.