Suella Braverman blasts police for letting eco extremists get ‘out of control’

SUELLA Braverman yesterday blasted the police for letting eco extremists get ‘out of control’ and warned she will not tolerate “politically correct” distractions.

The Home Secretary demanded “common sense policing” as she addressed top brass at a National Police Chiefs’ Council(NPCC) and crime commissioners summit in Westminster.

She said that officers’ time was “precious and the public want the police to be tackling crime, not debating gender on Twitter.”

After Just Stop Oil and other activists caused mayhem on the roads, Ms Braverman said there was an ‘institutional reluctance’ from forces to take action.

She told delegates: “Although most police officers do an excellent job, sadly, in recent months and years we have seen an erosion of confidence in the police to take action against the radicals, the road-blockers, the vandals, the militants and the extremists.

“But we have also seen the police appear to lose confidence in themselves – in yourselves, in your authority, in your power – an institutional reluctance. This must change.’

One of Britain’s most senior cops earlier told colleagues that officers should “stand tall” and defend themselves against accusations of being woke.

NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said that while it was right to be sceptical about gimmicks, it was essential to build trust with communities and “champion that action.”

He also later hit back at comments from Ms Braverman in September last year, about a perception that cops spend too much time on symbolic gestures and diversity should not trump common sense policing.

In a swipe at the Home Secretary, Mr Hewitt said: “Diversity and inclusion at work is important for us to deliver what we need to in crime-fighting, keeping the public safe..it’s not a diversion.”

But Ms Braverman said: “The way to ensure public confidence in the police is to focus on getting the basics right.

“What I call ‘common sense policing.’ The kind of policing the law-abiding majority deserves and expects.

“No politically correct distractions, just good old-fashioned policing – with a relentless focus on making our streets, homes and transport networks safer.”