Former detective Peter Bleksley has hit out at the police, questioning why their response to the UK riots hasn’t been as effective in other instances.
The police have been lauded in recent days by figures like the King for restoring order following the week of unrest across the UK.
Speaking on GB News, Bleksley called for the police to show similar urgency on matters like knife crime.
“It does beg the question. For so many years we’ve had so many senior police officers saying ‘politics doesn’t affect our policing’”, he said.
Peter Bleksley wants the police to focus on 'lawless hellhole' Britain
GB NEWS / PA
“If the police can mobilise to stop to dreadful rioting we have seen, when the dust settles, will they have the same resolve to tackle shoplifting, knife crime and many of the other horrendous crimes that blight our nation?
“The police service themselves, due to their highly educated leaders have allowed it to become a social service.
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“They deal with people in crisis, people with mental health issues and a raft of other things that are policing. What I commend them for is, when they want to tackle crime, they can actually do so.
“Why haven’t we had that strength in recent years and allow so much to go unsolved for so long?”
GB News’s Stephen Dixon put it to Bleksley that the police may simply not have had the resources available them to tackle the crimes they want to.
He responded: “I think the tide of teenage bloodshed which flows through so many of our cities and has cost hundreds of teenage lives is more than enough reason to mobilise and show will and determination.
Peter Bleksley spoke to Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond on GB News
GB NEWS
“Together with shoplifting, which has turned our high streets into lawless hellholes, if they can do this, they can do that.
“And the sooner the better.”
The King spoke to the Prime Minister about the police response to the riots which broke out in the wake of three girls being killed in a crazed knife attack in Southport.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, held a separate joint call with the King.
Violent anti-immigration riots took place last weekend Getty“In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder,” a Palace spokesperson said.
The King is also said to have “shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many”.
The spokesperson added: “It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”