Cllr. claims police feel overstretched (From Warrington Guardian)

Cllr. claims police feel overstretched

POLICE officers in Crewe "feel like resigning" because resources are so over-stretched, a councillor has claimed.

Newly-elected Stjepan Krizanac this week told the Guardian that a number of officers think about quitting in frustration over a perceived lack of manpower.

The Liberal Democrat has attacked the proposed merger of Cheshire and Merseyside Police, saying it would only exacerbate the problem.

Cllr Krizanac said: "One of the things that hurts me and makes me angry is that the police are being over-stretched but they are still planning to make cuts.

"I don't know how they can make sure that the people of Crewe and Nantwich will have proper policing.

"We already don't have enough and I don't know how the merged forces would be able to cope.

"I remember when I came here the police did everything very quickly. Now it's different.

"Speaking to people who are working in the police, they feel like resigning because they are gutted they cannot serve their community.

"They are dealing with crimes that are 15 days old."

Cllr Krizanac claims police did not follow up on their initial investigations into a possible racist attack on his Mill Street home.

The 42-year-old was awoken by a loud bang which shook his house.

His window had been smashed using a fire extinguisher in an attack which could have been motivated by the erroneous belief that he is Polish.

He said: "It was about 2am and something shook the house.

"At first I thought it was a car accident because the area is notorious for them.

"The front room was wet and there was a strong smell.

"I cannot say whether it was racially motivated. People think I am Polish because of my name but I am from Croatia.

"I have spoken to many Polish people who have had difficulties and many people born and bred in Crewe who blame the Poles for a lack of jobs.

"I believe it does not matter what country you come from, we should all live in freedom.

"I think if we make things fairer there will be less animosity between different groups."

Cllr Kirzanac arrived in Britain in 1989 as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

At the end of his mission, his country had descended into war and with no way to return home, the 42-year-old settled in the UK before moving to Crewe three years ago.

Police are treating the incident as criminal damage and a spokesman said there was no evidence to suggest the attack was racially motivated.

He added: "Unfortunately we have no lines of inquiry at present because there were no witnesses, as is often the case with things like this."