Police splash out to protect coast (From Daily Echo)
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Police spending £1.2m on boats to protect Hampshire coastline
6:00pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News
Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter.
POLICE chiefs are splashing out £1.2m on a fleet of boats to protect Hampshire’s coastline, the Daily Echo can reveal.
Four new vessels will be brought into service this summer to help the marine unit conduct counter-terrorism work, protect the county’s naval port and carry out patrols during the Olympics.
They will be partially paid for by a Government grant of £500,000 – but the force, striving to save £50m by 2015 through shedding jobs and closing police stations, will pay £700,000 from its budget.
The new vessels include a launch, a catamaran and two 7.5m Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) which will be used for counter-terrorism work, serious and organised crime operations, searching and policing around the Solent.
The existing vessels – three Mitchell 31 launches, Mariner I, II and III – will be decommissioned and sold, with the money used to offset the upgrade costs.
The force’s 7.5m RIB, Mariner V, has already been sold to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It was due an engine replacement and replacing it was seen as more cost effective.
John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, which represents the county’s officers, said: “With the continuing threat of terrorism, the naval ports and the Olympics, now is a good time to invest if we had the money available.
“In these current difficult financial times, when every penny counts, I am sure that the constabulary have made the decision based on need rather than an expensive wish list.”
Det Insp Dave Jackson, from Hampshire Constabulary’s Marine Unit, said: “We have a duty to protect all maritime vessels in our waters and when you consider the British cruise industry is largely based in Southampton, and the Royal Navy in Portsmouth, the equipment we use to police it needs to be fit for purpose.
“Our three launches were commissioned in 2001 and had a workable life of about ten years before we’d need to start investing in terms of repairs.
“Mariner V will soon need its engine replaced so it will be a lot more economical to replace the vessels and ensure effective maritime policing resources until 2022 than fork out to keep fixing the existing craft at great expense.”
Comments(18)
IronLady2010
says...
7:17pm Wed 8 Feb 12
forest hump
says...
7:54pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Nice new toys for the boys then.
Stillness
says...
8:20pm Wed 8 Feb 12
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?
Stillness wrote:You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Nice new toys for the boys then.
forest hump
says...
8:24pm Wed 8 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
IronLady2010
says...
8:49pm Wed 8 Feb 12
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Stillness
says...
9:59pm Wed 8 Feb 12
IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
SotonLad
says...
7:55am Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.
IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Stillness
says...
8:09am Thu 9 Feb 12
SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.
Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.
IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
soton-mike80
says...
1:36pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree?
SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.
Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.
IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices.
Instead of armchair-quarterback
ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!
Stillness
says...
1:47pm Thu 9 Feb 12
soton-mike80 wrote:Oh! another racist in our midst. Getting shot of you and your ilk would be the best way of protecting The UK. Its nice to see you using such obviously British words like quarterbacking to make your point. You my friend are a prig. As British as Charles Dickens (work out the connection) but still a prig.
Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree?
SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.
Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.
IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.
forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with reality
forest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices.
Instead of armchair-quarterback
ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!
forest hump
says...
7:09pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:Again, you would be the first to whine and cry if it (port of Southampton and Infrastructure) were targetted. I repeat: you are not in touch with the real world. Their origin is of no consequence: their targets are! Bury your head in the sand!
soton-mike80 wrote:Oh! another racist in our midst. Getting shot of you and your ilk would be the best way of protecting The UK. Its nice to see you using such obviously British words like quarterbacking to make your point. You my friend are a prig. As British as Charles Dickens (work out the connection) but still a prig.Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree? The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices. Instead of armchair-quarterback ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with realityforest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Stillness
says...
7:45pm Thu 9 Feb 12
forest hump wrote:Is that your world or mine? I prefer mine thanks. Keep going on the Prozac wont you.
Stillness wrote:Again, you would be the first to whine and cry if it (port of Southampton and Infrastructure) were targetted. I repeat: you are not in touch with the real world. Their origin is of no consequence: their targets are! Bury your head in the sand!
soton-mike80 wrote:Oh! another racist in our midst. Getting shot of you and your ilk would be the best way of protecting The UK. Its nice to see you using such obviously British words like quarterbacking to make your point. You my friend are a prig. As British as Charles Dickens (work out the connection) but still a prig.Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree? The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices. Instead of armchair-quarterback ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with realityforest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
forest hump
says...
10:28pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:Don't need drugs Sir, just have much more information and knowledge than guessers like yourself. QED
forest hump wrote:Is that your world or mine? I prefer mine thanks. Keep going on the Prozac wont you.Stillness wrote:Again, you would be the first to whine and cry if it (port of Southampton and Infrastructure) were targetted. I repeat: you are not in touch with the real world. Their origin is of no consequence: their targets are! Bury your head in the sand!soton-mike80 wrote:Oh! another racist in our midst. Getting shot of you and your ilk would be the best way of protecting The UK. Its nice to see you using such obviously British words like quarterbacking to make your point. You my friend are a prig. As British as Charles Dickens (work out the connection) but still a prig.Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree? The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices. Instead of armchair-quarterback ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with realityforest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
Stillness
says...
10:40pm Thu 9 Feb 12
forest hump wrote:You think. Sorry. You think? It may come as a bit of a shock but your point of view is called your point of view because it is how you see it from your point of view. That's why our ancestors thought the world was flat, as it was from their point of view. They didn't know it but they where wrong. Just as you may be. There are as many points of view as people on the planet. What qualification can you provide to convince me that your point of view should be accepted above any other? Other than your belief that you could not possibly be wrong.
Stillness wrote:Don't need drugs Sir, just have much more information and knowledge than guessers like yourself. QED
forest hump wrote:Is that your world or mine? I prefer mine thanks. Keep going on the Prozac wont you.Stillness wrote:Again, you would be the first to whine and cry if it (port of Southampton and Infrastructure) were targetted. I repeat: you are not in touch with the real world. Their origin is of no consequence: their targets are! Bury your head in the sand!soton-mike80 wrote:Oh! another racist in our midst. Getting shot of you and your ilk would be the best way of protecting The UK. Its nice to see you using such obviously British words like quarterbacking to make your point. You my friend are a prig. As British as Charles Dickens (work out the connection) but still a prig.Stillness wrote:The Ports that affect the infrastrutcture of our country? Without them we cannot import or export goods - dangerous position for an island to be in don't you agree? The top three largest commercial ports in the UK (not in any particular order) are: Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton. This means our port could be targetted for incoming incendiary devices. Instead of armchair-quarterback ing why don't you do something useful... like signing up to one of these organisations protecting the United Kingdom!SotonLad wrote:Westminster? The financial district? Aldermaston? GCHQ? Buck House? Please be specific.Stillness wrote:Not really getting this are you - it's not about where bombers are from, it's about protecting one of the biggest targets in the UK.IronLady2010 wrote:I guess we will just have to watch the news to see then wont we. Just remember where the London bombers came from.forest hump wrote:Forest Hump for post of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stillness wrote:You sir, do not understand the potential targets and subsequent threats. I'll say no more other than you are out of touch with realityforest hump wrote:You are right. They happen so often don't they. I would have thought a few more police patrols in the city would have been money better spent, you know looking for home grown problems. As soon as any public body wants to try and justify its spending we are told it's due to terrorism. Why would a terrorist bother trying to smuggle him/herself in when they can fly in or catch a train from France. How many "British born" terrorists are going use a small boat to get here from Birmingham?Stillness wrote: Nice new toys for the boys then.You would probably be one of the first to complain if there were a terrorist issue on our waters. What do you suggest as an alternative?
forest hump
says...
10:57pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness
says...
11:04pm Thu 9 Feb 12
forest hump wrote:Glad to see you have admitted it at last "I am not thinking, I am providing you with what is reality". You have summed up what I have just said about you. I rest my case. I suggest you go to bed and rest your brain cell.
What do you mean "I think?" I am not thinking, I am providing you with what is reality. Don't know where you got "think" from. Anyhow, just sit back and let the world go by. Oh! and don't whine when something kicks off.
forest hump
says...
11:11pm Thu 9 Feb 12
Stillness wrote:That sir is a childish response. Your initial post of "toys for the boys" says it all. And I suggest you brush up on your knowledge both potential threats and Latin. If you cannot provide a tangible response.......when I say I am not thinking, I am not guessing. But hey, probably too complex. Obviously a Police hater, or am I wrong?
forest hump wrote: What do you mean "I think?" I am not thinking, I am providing you with what is reality. Don't know where you got "think" from. Anyhow, just sit back and let the world go by. Oh! and don't whine when something kicks off.Glad to see you have admitted it at last "I am not thinking, I am providing you with what is reality". You have summed up what I have just said about you. I rest my case. I suggest you go to bed and rest your brain cell.
Stillness says...
6:32pm Wed 8 Feb 12