Has Conservative councillor for Sumners washed his hands of crime and vandalism on buses in troubled area he represents?
Crime / Mon 5th May 2025 at 04:30pm
A CONSERVATIVE councillor for Sumners has told us that there is effectively nothing he can do regarding crime and anti-social behaviour on buses in Sumners.
On Sunday, we reported that Central Connect would not be running buses in the evenings or Sundays in Sumners due to “multiple acts of targeted vandalism”.
So we thought we would contact the three Conservative councillors for Sumners and Kingsmoor, make them aware of the decision by Central Connect, ask them for a comment and request a commitment to look into it.
Councillor Souter replied: “We do not have any say regarding buses”.
We thought he might have more questions or ledge to look into it or call for meeting or perhaps make a statement that might reassure the residents of Sumners in some shape or form.
Councillors Russell Perrin and Emma Ghaffari have yet to reply.
Clive Souter is not only the Harlow District councillor for Sumners and Kingsmoor. He is also the Essex County councillor for Essex West.
For the record, that’s approximately £20,000 in allowances.
He was elected in 2024 with close to 50% of the vote, beating off Labour, Green and Harlow Alliance Party candidates.
The portfolio holder for public protection,, cllr Joel Charles (Cons) did reply to our request for a statement.
Essex Police have yet to reply.
The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst is holding a meeting on Tuesday 6th May at Passmores Academy, Tracyes Road, Harlow, CM18 6JH, starting at 7pm, with the meeting scheduled to last an hour to 8pm.
Mr D
2025-05-05 17:24:19
Well if ever we needed a clearer "we couldn't give a stuff about the buses"...
Adam
2025-05-05 17:43:42
Shock Horror elected officials doing nothing - then they will wonder why people will give other parties like reform a chance.
Trying to live in Harlow
2025-05-05 19:52:39
Agreed Adam and Mr D they don't give a too hoots Gits!!
AB
2025-05-06 08:16:21
The Conservatives privatised the bus services, that's why Tory councillors can wash their hands of any problems. Th se prívate businesses are a law unto themselves.
Doc
2025-05-06 16:19:08
Shouldn't be the police investigating these shameful vandalism acts? Lazy councillors might be able to avoid the responsibility (not really), but the police should investigate and make arrests. Don't they have the CCTV on the buses? They also should put the plainclothes officers on the evening busses until the arrests are made and that would send some signals to the thugs. Is it really so difficult?
Chris
2025-05-06 16:46:27
All he needed to do was offer a pledge, an empty promise to play the game that he cares and is appeasing the public ear. Pwrhaps staying quiet though makes him impenetrable to holding any account or answering anything. A prime example of bury one's head in the sand and wait for it all to pass over, after all he is unlikely going to be elected once all the nationalisation goes ahead, there won't be a job for him so is practicing now what it will be like.... Is that too sinical?
Dm
2025-05-06 19:15:41
Why jump on politicians when it's the police who are responsible. They should be dealing with this if nothing is done then go to the councillors. Having a meeting at literally the opposite end of town also seems highly intelligent.
Patricia valkeith
2025-05-06 19:50:16
Perhaps he should of made a effect and phoned the police to see if they are actually dealing with the problem 🤔
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