Hi
The senior police officer at Wigan in a well constructed statement says the police will no longer police "Walking Days"
Despite being a well constructed statement that list the costs and the knock on effect, there are, on deeper inspection flaws in his statement.
1. He overlooks that a large percentage of the police at walking days are specials.
2. He has not given the churches taking part the opportunity to pay for the policing.
3. He has not given individual officers who are of the Christian faith the opportunity to do this work on a voluntary basis.
4.The head of the Church of England is the Queen, and police officers swear an oath of allegience to the Queen. So in effect hs denying members of the Church she is head of the right to walk on the Queens Highway.
5 Rather vague at the moment, but., I am led to believe certain people do not need permission to march on the roads, so if further research proves this, he is guilty of discrimination.

As I said his staement to the press was well constructed and many objections he foresaw and stalled them before they were made.So comparisons with other parades are made invalid eg St Patricks Day, Chinese New year and Mardi Gras.

But when all fails I am reminded of one of the great men of the 20th century who brought about far greater changes to unreasonable authority by peaceful means, Mahatma Ghandi.

Alan

Town: Bryn Road Car & Lorry Park

They don't do walking days.

They don't respond to 999 calls.
http://www.wigantoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2118949&SectionID=66

They have moved all the police stations out of our towns...and I must admit it's very pleasant out in the countryside down Bryn Gates Lane...

But what do they actually DO?

The police on our door step.. our local station is bamfurlong. not 2 mins from my front door. last year my 6 yr old son went missing for 2 hours (after waiting 25 minutes from my initial 999 call) the police did turn up but from Wigan police station near robin park. Call me naïve as some1 once did but i thought the idea of a local station was to improve response times.

ps after a 15 min search my son was found safe and well

Town: Stubshaw

Rang police tonight. So called front desk of Bamfurlong Police Station. Message said they only work from 9 till 5 . WHAT GOOD IS THAT? Is that Ashtons representation of police?

Town: Ashton

I can't believe that Walking Day has been cancelled.
My mother took part as a child and so did I.
My young son was due to take part this time aound.

Where did you see this report Alan?

I am sure you can have a march without it being policed.

You make some good points Alan. They at least should see if an alternative way of funding the policing can be found.

Town: Stubshaw Cross

hello ian re walking day i asked pat who goes to st lukes church and she was telling me theirs been no police for 2years and that people from the church act as marshalls ann

Town: ashton in makerfield

I forgot to mention that this walk is not just a church based event it involves a great proportion of the Ashton community.

Those who take part and those who line the streets
remember events like this for the rest of their lives.

Town: Stubshaw Cross

Hi
There has been a police turnaround and I am told they will now police ALL WALKING DAYS in the borough.
Alan

Town: Bryn Road Car & Lorry Park