Anne Marie has called for a vast reduction in the red tape bureaucracy that is tying up police officers’ time – and instead help them get back on the streets. Anne Marie Morris delivered her call after accompanying the police on patrol around Newton Abbot, to see at first hand the key issues and challenges that they face.

Speaking after her evening with the community police officer, which took place on Halloween, Anne Marie spoke of her admiration for the way in which they dealt with a number of anti-social behavioural problems that presented themselves.

However, having spoken to the officers about the main issues they face on a day-to-day basis, Anne Marie was left in little doubt that one of the main problems revolves around the sheer amount of bureaucracy they face.

Anne Marie, who is also the Conservative Prospective MP for Newton Abbot said: “It was a wonderful and extremely worthwhile opportunity for me to see exactly what our police officers face during an evening shift.

“I was extremely impressed with the way they handled a number of the issues they faced, which were done calmly and professionally. For example, underage teenagers caught with alcohol en route to parties saw their drink poured away in a nearby drain, which diffused the situation without fuss.

“However, I am increasingly concerned about the sheer volume of bureaucracy that they face each and every day. That needs to change, and change quickly.”

Under Conservative plans, the volume of red tape facing the police would be slashed, putting police back on the street and make them directly accountable to the communities they serve.

 

This would be achieved by, among other methods; Abolishing the stop form which is over a foot long and takes 25 minutes to complete and the stop and search form; and empowering police sergeants to authorise stop and search of pedestrians and vehicles in a specific area for a period of up to six hours, if they reasonably believe that a serious crime has occurred or is about to occur.

Anne Marie said: “It is vital that we have police officers on the street to give confidence to our local communities, and also reduce the rate of crime.

The police do a fantastic job under difficult circumstances, and we must do everything we can to aid them in their work”