We cannot turn a blind eye to wrongdoing

I believe in social responsibility and in people being engaged in their communities to help keep them safe. People should not turn a blind eye to crime and post about it on social media instead of reporting and assisting the police with information and evidence.

My comments on this subject at a meeting in June have made headlines recently. I have made tackling shoplifting a priority for Thames Valley Police and that has resulted in more criminals being charged, more patrols being visible, easier sharing of evidence from stores, more support for retailers and a focus on the most prolific offenders. As I said in my original comments in June, I am not expecting everyone to be rugby tackling criminals to the ground. I am also not expecting people to put themselves in harm’s way, but this is about being aware and as a minimum reporting shoplifting to the police.

I encourage retailers, shop workers and the shoppers to report crime so the police can act. It’s their job to investigate and fight crime, including shoplifting. But we can all play a part in building a safer community – at the very least reporting crime we see, rather than accepting it.

My point about personal responsibility is much wider than shoplifting. It is about a common culture that believes in moral and law abiding behaviour. It is how I want to raise my children and the kind of world I would like them to grow up in. It is not saying that we cannot rely on the police. Quite the reverse, it is about saying that by actively supporting the police we can further reduce crime and make everyone safer. It is about other types of crime. Often people see shoplifting as victimless - it is not - but what if you were a more direct victim of a crime? a car theft? an assault? I hope that others around you might assist, might share any CCTV footage they have. Might call for help. 

Too often we are told that we cannot do anything to fix the world’s problems. I don’t believe that. We all live in communities, where we build connections and can contribute. We can all do something to make our local communities better, we do have that power. As Edmund Burke (probably never) said: “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.