Police hit back at criticism over Bromsgrove Pride attendance

After Safer Neighbourhood Inspector, Lee Page, retweeted Bromsgrove Police’s image of their attendance at Bromsgrove Pride, councillor Adam Kent tweeted: “Once upon a time the police fought crime! My residents suffer with anti-social behaviour, burglaries, car theft and speeding.

“They will be delighted you can afford to spare officer for a carnival @WestMerciaPCC @CCPippaMills @pritipatel. Try nicking someone!”

Disappointed Cllr Adam Kent blocked me before I had the opportunity to respond to his public criticism of me and my team. Speeding, anti-social behaviour and burglary are important, of course they are - which is why I met with him to discuss these issues just a few weeks ago.

— Lee Page (@LeePageWMP) October 3, 2021

Inspector Page then tweeted: “Following reports of homophobic and transphobic abuse towards young people in Bromsgrove, the town's LGBTQ+ community were certainly delighted with Anna and Eleanor's presence at Pride today and the team have my full support.

“There are more than two officers policing Bromsgrove.”

Cllr Kent deleted his tweet as ‘it was selectively used by others to misrepresent the original post’ and blocked Inspector Lee Page.

Following the exchange, Cllr Kent said that a police inspector manipulated his tweet ‘to make it look like an attack at the event the carnival was about.’ 

Cllr Kent added: “Unfortunately the police aren’t injecting any confidence in my residents that they are dealing with crime in Wythall effectively.

“I’m sorry but I don’t think with the issues my residents are facing that they will feel having two officers attend a carnival in Bromsgrove is an effective use of resources or tax payers cash.

“I recognise and support the LGBT community but believe police resources should be focussed on crime.”

In response Chief Inspector Ed Hancox said: “I will send my officers out to speak with the community publically or on a one to one basis all day every day in the pursuit of justice and protecting people from harm.

“No reasonable person would expect us to do otherwise and the response to our public engagement has been overwhelmingly positive.”

CI Hancox said their attendance at Bromsgrove Pride had two elements to it ‘a policing operation to provide reassurance following reports of hate crime in the area and to show our support for a community alongside every police force across the country on the day’

The Chief Inspector added: “I would also like to reassure local people that we are capable of doing more than one thing at once.

“Whilst the two officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team were supporting the Pride event, other officers were responding to calls from the public, and tackling issues to keep the community safe. 

“We also work closely with our partners to achieve the best results for the public; this includes Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council, both of whom remain committed to working with my team.

“My officers and I are proud of who we are, the work we do and the communities we serve.”