Johnson’s frankness gets residents’ vote

ALT residents took their crime and policing concerns to the top when they quizzed Home Secretary Alan Johnson at the ARC community centre, Abbeyhills Road.

He was on the campaign trail in Oldham on Friday to outline Labour’s policing policies — the day after the country’s first televised debate between the the three party leaders.

Residents put him under the spotlight on police response times, ASBOs, bureaucracy in the force and day-to-day contact with officers.

ARC chairman Faye Mills (64) told him: “What the children of this area want to see is more interaction with police. We know they are really busy, rushed off their feet. We have got the interaction with police community support officers so now we need it with the police (officers).”

Mr Johnson was told that children regarded ASBOs as “badge of honour” while Sandra Percy (64) of Sherborne Close, criticised police response times.

Three years ago police failed to attend when she caught a fleeing burglar with friends and she explained: “You phone the police and it might be two days before you get someone to come to see you or they do not come at all.”

Mr Johnson admitted that all three parties wanted to see more police but stressed: “In difficult economic times we are guaranteeing the funding The Conservatives aren’t guaranteeing the funding neither are the Lib-Dems. Labour’s police pledge included “revolutionary” powers to deal with failing forces, he said, while they the party was also giving police the powers to fight crime.

Citing DNA as an example he added: “We say do not restrict the police's ability to use that DNA, including from people who have been arrested but not convicted.

“We say there’s a good chance of them being arrested again.”

Faye gave his performance the thumb's up and said: “I think it was wonderful. To be talked to and not talked at is unusual for politicians.

“He was very approachable and did not avoid any questions which was really good. Normally they skirt round and never give an answer but we got an answer, even if it wasn’t what we necessarily wanted.”

Mr Johnson was accompanied by Oldham East and Saddleworth parliamentary Labour candidate Phil Woolas who admitted that he was nervous because the “boss was there”.

But the Home Office minister also praised his boss’s performance and added: “It was brilliant. Alan Johnson is just a man of the people.”