u/Impressive_Trust_798

>Woops, I meant to put this in - sorry! Really glad to see shop workers finally getting some proper protection in the new crime bill.I was reading through the details of the new Crime and Policing Bill today, and it is honestly just a relief to see some practical, common-sense solutions being put forward for community safety.

Over the last few years, it feels like our local high streets across the country have just been left to fend for themselves. Seeing retail staff constantly facing abuse or people walking out with baskets of goods because of that old £200 shoplifting loophole has been incredibly frustrating to watch.

It’s just great to see a shift back toward protecting normal people. The fact that assaulting a shop worker is finally going to be a specific criminal offence is a massive win for staff who are just trying to do their jobs safely. I was also really glad to see they are making "cuckooing" a specific crime, which will do so much to protect vulnerable people in our communities from being exploited by gangs.

It just feels like a really positive, supportive step towards getting our neighbourhoods feeling safe and looked after again.

If the police actually have the proper backing to tackle anti-social behaviour and community issues again, what’s the one low-level nuisance in your town you’d want them to sort out first?

As someone who usually takes national media coverage of Croydon with a massive grain of salt (because they usually just come to take photos of the Nestlé building and leave), the piece in The Times was actually quite an interesting read. They sent a reporter down to walk the town centre with Rowenna Davis and Jason Perry.

What stood out to me is that even a traditionally centrist paper pointed out that Rowenna’s manifesto is actually "heavy on detail" compared to the usual vague political promises. They specifically highlighted her plan to go after the "corporate squatters" who are just land-banking the vacant shops in the town centre.

I also really appreciated that she didn't shy away from the previous council's bankruptcy. She was pretty blunt with the reporter about how she "kicked out everyone who was in denial" to completely refresh the local party. It feels like she’s actually running to fix the town, not just defend a political brand.

For those who have read her plans to force developers to either build or sell (using a new Land Commission), do you think the council actually has the legal teeth to pull that off against big developers?

You can read the full piece here if you haven't seen it: 🔗https://www.thetimes.com/article/f409b3b2-e716-4028-bf0e-0beb1395fd74?shareToken=b004b15ead033c762231dbd45410b798