Even in Scotland the police admit that they can protect you because they
can’t be everywhere at once!
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MORE BEAT COPS DON’T MAKE YOU ANY SAFER Dec 9 2002

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Z6CA523B2

Andrew Walker

MORE bobbies on the beat could leave the public at greater risk from crime.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Sir Roy Cameron has warned that putting too
many officers on patrol could leave other police work neglected.

In a new report, Narrowing the Gap, he said Scots expect too much from their
police.

A survey showed that 80 per cent of people felt safer with a visible police
presence.

Nearly a quarter of police time is spent on patrol – but only four per cent
on foot.

Sir Roy said: “Given the current level of resourcing, it is unrealistic to
expect the police service in Scotland to do all that is expected of it by
the public, far less embrace any extension of its role without an impact on
service.

“With little prospect of a significant increase in overall funding, it’s
increasingly essential the police service continues to make the most
effective and efficient use of existing resources.

“Deploying resources to satisfy the general public’s demand for a
reassuring, visible police presence could be at the expense of upsetting the
balance of other operational priorities.”

Sir Roy said the overall effect may be a more reassured public but one more
at risk.

He added: “The research suggests a potential gap between public expectation
and service delivery with regard to police work. In short, the police cannot
be everywhere.

“If we are to ensure policing resources are used to the greatest effect, we
have to manage that gap and explain what we are doing and why