Page 23 - WMPF Federation June-July 2018-flip_Neat

LOANS Protecting our streets:

Does stop and search

POLICECU.CO.UK

PCU is the financial reduce knife crime?

services alternative Former gang member says officers need to

OUR R EP SAY S :
Helping you understand the communities they police “For some time, I was involved

in Force in the debate about
n address by a former
to manage A a fascinating back-drop disproportionality and its impact in
gang member provided
certain communities. I am aware
that in recent times there have
for a break-out session asking if
been voices saying we have lost the
stop and search reduced knife
your finances crime. streets due to the lack of stop and
search. I was interested to hear the

Sheldon Thomas spoke
thoughts of my national colleagues
from experience, when
addressing the national Police on this matter. Additionally, I was
Federation conference in ground commander during the
Birmingham, outlining the initial phases of the stabbing death
in Sutton Coldfield and knife crime
How we help our members mindset of a gang member. is also a live topic in the community
He has since moved on to

 † launch Gangsline – a helpline I hail from.
Loan repayments deducted from payroll
“I thought the speakers were

and prevention service for
 anyone involved in gang all relevant and seemed to have a
Handled in-house by experienced staff
cohesive message, engagement,
culture.
 He also lectures, advises community and out of this will come
The rate you see is the rate you pay
intelligence that will make stop
 and consults police forces and and search a power that will be
Not-for-profit mutual set up by the police
governments and his insight
Call 0121 700 1222 for the law enforcement family could be very useful for a force effective when applied lawfully and
battling rising violent crime in proportionately.
Email enquiries@policecu.co.uk  areas of the country. “Sheldon Thomas explained that
Life cover on savings and loans at no
extra cost * At the seminar entitled the stop and search debate has
/police.cu @police_cu ‘Protecting our Streets – Does moved away from blame to what
stop search reduce knife crime?’ can we do to ensure the power is
With more than 91% of people reporting Sheldon spoke of the need for effective today as if it is not effective
as a preventative tool it becomes
‡
Start your savings off with a health problems from debt , perhaps we can society to change and for part of the problem. Stop and search
communities to take their fair
help you if you are looking to consolidate
is not the whole solution.
share of responsibility for
£10 BONUS! your credit card balances or any other reducing violent crime. Sheldon Thomas, former gang member. questions and, in the most part, they
“Delegates were able to ask

Having been shot at four
existing credit into one easy repayment.
were relevant. One question was
times in a London nightclub in
Enter PROMO18 on your online Take advantage of our 30 years of dedicated the 1970s, he outlined how the issues insisted those officers had to fully about the legalisation of drugs as this
is a driver for a lot of street-related
understand the communities they policed.
surrounding violent crime were complex and
application ** service and call into your local branch or visit said both families and communities had a And those police had to be properly knife crime. This put speakers on
the back foot but they were able to
policecu.co.uk strong part to play in dealing with the resourced and funded if they were to truly answer in a limited fashion.
situation. He explained how their
tackle the current issues.
involvement could change current attitudes Other speakers during the session “This break-out was topical and
as particularly knife crime takes a dramatic included the Federation’s operational relevant. I thought speakers were
increase. policing lead, Simon Kempton, and Roger well balanced and, if possible,
He believed that many of society’s Pegram, vice-chair of the Society of this would be a topic that could be
FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO SERVE & PROTECT problems exacerbated the situation, like Evidence-Based Policing. addressed at Force level to bring
POLICE CREDIT UNION LIMITED Head Office, Guardians House, 2111 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3EA poor mental health and the on-going Everyone agreed that the much into training days. Some input and
difficulties faced by drug selling and drug discussed issue of stop and search had a role discussion would be interesting to see
† (where available) ‡ Interviewed by the Legal Services. Loans subject to status, conditions and credit checks to members aged 18 or over. **Terms and conditions apply. use among inner-city populations. to play in reducing violent crime and that it what the feelings are on the ground.”
Please visit policecu.co.uk for details. *Life Insurance is offered subject to conditions including a six month pre-existing limitation. For full terms and conditions about the Sheldon said the police could play a huge was a tactic that should always be deployed West Midlands representative
policy, please contact Police Credit Union or visit the PCU website. Police Credit Union is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The Scheme guarantees part in tackling the problems at source but at the right time and place. Winston Christie
to pay 100% up to a maximum £85,000 of savings, should the Credit Union fail. Police Credit Union Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated
by the Financial Conduct Authority & the Prudential Regulation Authority (Registered No 213306).
www.westmidspolfed.com federation June/July 2018 23