Chris Maclean: anger turns to frustration

Last night the good townsfolk of Faversham assembled in our civic centre to discuss their concerns about anti-social behaviour. Convened by the council, senior representatives of the local constabulary were there to field questions. I reckon about two hundred turned up which perhaps reflects the deep concern within our community.

I suspect such meetings follow a formula identical up and down the country. It starts with several very angry residents championing issues which have been repeatedly thrashed out in the local papers. The well-briefed police officers field such issues with the finesse of first class batsmen. Their defence favours the use of jargon and acronyms. Tonight it was the turn of P.A.C.T. (Police And Community Together) to be put forward at every occasion.

Successively the anger subsides and the general feeling becomes one of frustration.

My presence there was to, if necessary, make a defence of the role of pubs in the community. There was another licensee, from another pub, there for the same reason.

I am always concerned that people, who are sometimes ill-informed, will use such opportunities to ride their particular hobby-horse. It would be the perfect opportunity for the anti-pub activists to make political capital.

As it happened the pubs came off quite lightly. Alcohol, for sure, was the root cause for many of the complainants. But it was the under-priced supermarket offers which had the bulk of criticism.

I am not sure I am entirely happy with such a simplistic approach. If people blame alcohol as the cause, the supply is irrelevant. People will not distinguish between a pub or a supermarket as a supplier.

I was going to contribute ~ but I didn't.

The people were mobilised and concerned. The police, models of diplomacy, spoke of managing resources. But the real culprits, sitting quietly in the front, were the councillors who take our taxes and allocate them to the resources they feel worthy. It is they who are responsible.

People say if you don't like what is there, vote them out. Really? Vote another lot in instead is more to the point.

I think I won't bother next election.