Jul1Written by:Portsmouth Lib Dems
Thursday, July 01, 2010 
An open letter from local Councillor Lee Hunt to the Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council, the Chief Constable of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Chief Superintendent Peacock (head of the Police in Portsmouth).Dear Chief Executive, Chief Constable and Chief Superintendent Peacock
Today's News sees a report of yet another major incident where a person has been allegedly seriously assaulted in Guildhall Walk. This is now on top of TWO RECENT MURDERS resulting in grief and misery for many and the destruction of lives on all sides. The follow-up enquiries, criminal trails, inquests and treatment deplete HUGE police, CPS, NHS and city resources still further so that prevention is even harder still and makes 'policing' for all the 'frontline' services more stretched, stressful and less effective in ordinary residential streets. Then the ordinary bobbies get-it-in-the-neck at residents meetings and for failing to deliver what the public expect - so everyone loses. The men and women looking after people when they are out and about need the resources to do the job and need recognition for the work they do for us all.
I managed to speak to Mr Marshall - Hampshire's Chief Constable - at the recent Council Meeting and he kindly assured me that he was going to stamp on this issue and I believe he will. We had a robust conversation about the licensing issues surrounding all of this and the City Licensing Authority responsibilities, but 'enforcement' and policing is mostly in the police jurisdiction and without objections from the police the licensing committees hands are tied by the law as appeals are mostly granted subsequently at the taxpayers' expense.
I know the law has been changed to admit more evidence from residents, but without back-up from the statutory objectors - police, fire and Environmental Health - residents concerns are given less weight.
Breweries and businesses in the area MUST pay for MORE policing and for the results in the vicinity of their pubs in this designated area. Ordinary local pubs should not be penalised.
The police oblige Love Albert Road Day organisers and the city taxpayers' to pay for policing events like the recent FA Cup on the Common and LARD - likewise it MUST be time for them to oblige the breweries to pay and ensure the same level of safe streets and environments which all of us expect at the events described above; people should not have to sit at home worrying about their loved-ones on a night out.
If not already - please will you all meet immediately get together and come up with plans to ensure public safety and security for all, particularly in the Guildhall Walk environs.
Please - no more deaths, GBH, maiming and harm in Guildhall Walk.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Lee Hunt
Central Southsea
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport