Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrats’ Mayoral candidate for London, today strongly criticised Croydon police.
Brian Paddick: tough on crime, and tough on the police, too
Having rounded on the Met’s handling of the situation generally that led to Croydon’s riots on 8/8, Paddick, a former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Met, today expressed particular concern over the local Croydon police’s failure to help the evidence-gathering panel under the chairmanship of His Honour William Barnett QC.
“They have to get into their heads that they are the servants of the community and should co-operate with the inquiry. The local police have a moral duty to give evidence. Whatever the legal pitfalls there is no excuse,” Paddick told Inside Croydon.
Paddick spent three hours talking to local businesses about Croydon’s needs after opening the Federation of Small Businesses‘ “We Mean Business” Exhibition that filled the Fairfield Halls today.
Paddick says that he was impressed by a suggestion from Trevor Reeves that the burnt out Reeves Corner should be promoted by planning authorities as a new gateway to Croydon.
Paddick says that he shares the other main Mayoral candidates views’ about Croydon being a place for high-rise development but understands local residents’ concerns over the Menta 54-storey building, which has already been granted planning permission despite objections from the majority of Addiscombe residents, the local MP and London Assembly Member.
He claims that as Mayor he would be tough on developers by insisting on development premiums, getting enough money to pay for improved public infrastructure, like more school places, when these facilities put under stress by massive new properties.
- Inside Croydon: brought to you free of charge, an independent voice standing for freedom of speech for the people of Croydon
Related articles
- Minister complains as council fails to claim £10m riot grant (insidecroydon.com)
- Police turn their back on Croydon’s riot review panel (insidecroydon.com)
- Croydon 8/8: Eyewitnesses ask questions of police approach (insidecroydon.com)
