Safety group to ease load on ‘under-funded police’

THE formation of a safety advisory group to co-ordinate events to be held in Leek is to be looked into after councillors were informed that the police do not have the resources to man them in the town anymore.

The issue was put before members at the last meeting of Leek Town Council who stage several events in the community during the year.

Leek town mayor, Councillor Roy Tomkinson, said: “Inspector Mark Thorley of Leek police has asked Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for a safety advisory group to be set up, however there seems no move in place at this time to form one.

“I would like the safety advisory group to consist of people from licensing, ambulance, police and the environment involved in it.

“It is better to start one up soon, as we can’t wait until someone is hurt. It is needed and was required for the lights switch on.

“The police do not have the resources to help anymore. We need people for major events in the town including the Christmas lights night, the Royal British Legion Remembrance Day and Party in the Park.”

Councillor John Povey said the issue was a matter for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

He said: “This is a district council activity. I recommend that the clerk writes to them to get a group set up. I am surprised that the district council has not set one up as Leek Show is on district council land. It is not for this town council to take it on.”

Chairman of the town council’s event committee, Councillor Gail Lockett, said that she had held a meeting with Inspector Thorley and was told that there would be no police at events, while Councillor Pam Wood said that Leek Town Council should have a representative on the safety advisory group when one was set up.

Councillor Neal Podmore said they wanted events, which have been going on for years, to be safe.

He said: “The role of a safety advisory group should be the local authority which is Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. We need to make them aware.”

Councillor Brian Johnson said he was surprised the police are not to be involved in events.

He said: “The police have a lot of specials. The lights night switchon was a place for the specials. The police say it’s not cost, it’s resources. We need specials on duty.

“I will speak to officers at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to get something moving.”

Councillors agreed that Mr Johnson discussed taking the issue further by holding talks with the district council.