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BNP leader patrols Corsham
10:08am Wednesday 16th May 2007
Comments (50)The chairman of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, joined local members to patrol the streets of Corsham last night.
He joined new BNP councillor for the town Mick Simpkins and other party colleagues including Michael Howson on a an evening patrol to identify incidents of anti-social behaviour.
The vigilante walkabouts began in February this year and BNP organisers say they set up a group in the area after residents expressed concerns about intimidating groups of young people and badly behaved adults.
Wiltshire BNP organiser Mike Howson said: "The patrols started in February because we had been approached by concerned residents about anti-social behaviour in the town.
"They are community patrols, which are made up of groups of four, and are estate-based. We are simply acting on the worries and concerns of the residents who have contacted us."
Mr Howson said the majority of the members involved are from Corsham and the surrounding areas and many of them are ex-servicemen.
He said: "We walk around and show our presence in the area. We talk to people and inform parents if their children have been involved in acts of anti-social behaviour and may on occasion escort them home.
"People were more than happy to see us out on the streets and we are fulfilling a public need. We will continue to patrol as long as the public want us there."
Mr Griffin congratulated his colleagues for their efforts over recent months.
Your Say YourThe Wiltshire Gazette and Herald
dave, Corsham says...
12:15pm Wed 16 May 07
dave, corsham says...
12:24pm Wed 16 May 07
jb, says...
12:32pm Wed 16 May 07
Anon, Corsham says...
12:44pm Wed 16 May 07
Mark, says...
2:12pm Wed 16 May 07
trunkstuff, calne says...
2:55pm Wed 16 May 07
www.anti-social-behaviour.co.uk
Michael, Wiltshire says...
3:05pm Wed 16 May 07
2. They would only escort someone home if they knew them, which would probably be the case as they are local.
3. They are working with the police and NWDC Community Safety Officer.
4. Black, white or green - everyone is treated the same. For goodness sake get off this black v white thing.
yolander, corsham says...
3:09pm Wed 16 May 07
jb wrote:who will jb call when his house is being burgled or a fight occurs not the bnp i hope.......
Some people just don`t get the point do they Tracey?, if the incompetant and useless bunch of no hopers that are Wilts police were doing the job they are meant to, then there would be no reason at all for BNP to patrol the streets.
trunkstuff, calne says...
3:15pm Wed 16 May 07
trunkstuff wrote:A warning to all young people who are approached by these patrols do not i repeat do not get in a vehicle or be taken home by any of these people, you do not have to go with them, if asked to go phone the police.........
If i were a young person i wouldnt go with a stranger not in a uniform, surely the bnp are joking about taking young people home,,,,, www.anti-social-behaviour.co.uk
Anon, says...
3:36pm Wed 16 May 07
Who patrols the patrols?, says...
3:36pm Wed 16 May 07
Tracey, Wilts says...
4:24pm Wed 16 May 07
Who patrols the patrols? wrote:Well said, this is exactly the kind of thing I was getting at when I asked the question are they all CRB checked.
It's a shame that the paper/website chooses to report this completely uncritically, without drawing attention to the huge list of BNP members, candidates, councillors and officials convicted of a wide range of criminal offences, including racist and domestic violence, and involved in anti-social behaviour themselves.
Michael from Wiltshre says they have the same powers as a CSO but they don't do they? A CSO has gone through an interview with the police, a police training programme, the relevent CRB checks and is working under police guidelines in a police uniform!
These BNP patrols are putting young people at risk from people who could in fact be using these patrols as a smokescreen for more sinister activities.
And trunkstuff is right, if a young person is approached by someone other than a police officer they should call the police!
Also if these patrols are taking place with groups of adults presumably hanging around the streets looking for so called troublemakers, are they not themselves in danger of anti-social behaviour and being moved on by the police?!
jb, says...
5:16pm Wed 16 May 07
yolander wrote:No fights where I live, which is why I live where I do.
jb wrote: Some people just don`t get the point do they Tracey?, if the incompetant and useless bunch of no hopers that are Wilts police were doing the job they are meant to, then there would be no reason at all for BNP to patrol the streets.who will jb call when his house is being burgled or a fight occurs not the bnp i hope.......
Have had things stolen by the sort of scumbags the BNP will have to deal with tho'
Shan`t bother to call police again after the last experience.
Takes them a week to turn up if at all, then you get offered counselling.
Wilts police too busy harassing easy targets to deal with real lowlife.
Richard Partridge, South Ruislip says...
5:30pm Wed 16 May 07
We have no BNP here in South Ruislip, we have National Front instead, and who looks after the area NF supporters and members.
They have a good reputation for getting things done for the community regularly, thats why they get a good vote here.
Come out of the closet Anon, do not be shy.
frightened resident, Corsham says...
5:50pm Wed 16 May 07
Corsham people please dont be fooled by these attempts to use 'anti-social behaviour' as a tool to indoctrinate our children with Nazi propoganda. People of Calne, Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, Malmesbury, Cricklade beware... blink and they'll be sitting in your town hall and walking your streets before you know it.
Richard Partridge, says...
6:19pm Wed 16 May 07
I invite you look at
a nonce is a slang term for paedophile.
Just type the words in the search engine.All the main parties are well represented with a nice collection of councillors and MP's.
I'm sure you will be sickened, but find a BNP member and you will be dissapointed.
Richard Partridge, says...
6:22pm Wed 16 May 07
frightened resident, Corsham says...
6:35pm Wed 16 May 07
Mick, Corsham says...
9:33pm Wed 16 May 07
As for the Bath Chronicle on BNP area organiser - think about the timing. Same time as BNP leader visits Bath and Corsham. I have seen the site in question and the clips shown on HTV tonight were not all on the mentioned site. It's commonly called a stitch up and not a very good one at that. Still when the enemy resort to dirty tricks like that we know we are winning.
frightened resident, Corsham says...
10:10pm Wed 16 May 07
Chris, says...
11:22pm Wed 16 May 07
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1681/howsonnv8.jpg
I managed to take a 'print screen' and upload it to the internet.
Mick, Wiltshire says...
12:27am Thu 17 May 07
frightened resident, Corsham says...
8:33am Thu 17 May 07
I do not believe that I am an overtly political individual in any direction and Im afraid that I still feel upset and frightened about the BNP activity in my neighbourhood, I dont feel I have received any information that has helped me to overcome this fear. As such I will not contribute further to this line of communication but would like to receive some acknowledgement that the local BNP patrols are aware of and have formally noted my request, made here and now that, as a Corsham resident, I would like you to stop the 'vigilante' patrols of my town.
Basil, says...
2:23pm Thu 17 May 07
Tracey wrote:So rather than criticize those prepared to do something about the problems in the town, what solutions to these do you suggest?
"He said: "We walk around and show our presence in the area. We talk to people and inform parents if their children have been involved in acts of anti-social behaviour and may on occasion escort them home." Are all these people that are taking part in these 'patrols' CRB checked? If they are 'monitoring' groups of young people and even picking themup and taking them home, which incidently is a job for the police, then precautions should be in place to ensure that this does not become a smokescreen for people with less honest intentions. If I walked down my street, saw a child being naughty, stopped and picked that child up and took them home then I would be putting myself in a very vunerable position! This could be classed as abduction or kidnap of a minor, a much more serious offence in the eyes of the law than graffitti.
lenny, corsham says...
3:01pm Thu 17 May 07
trunkstuff wrote:we have no intention to do anything these say unless they are with the police.
If i were a young person i wouldnt go with a stranger not in a uniform, surely the bnp are joking about taking young people home,,,,, www.anti-social-behaviour.co.uk
Dave S, Corsham says...
12:14pm Fri 18 May 07
Mick wrote:So what you really mean is that the patrols were just a publicity stunt to gain votes from vunerable old people who believe the rubbish you print on you leaflets.
frightened resident - I don't know where you live but I do know where the patrol was. (BTW I don't take part in these). Some residents came out last night to thank them for helping to reduce anti-social behavior and were pleased we there. So speak to your neighbours because some of them asked for us. On the Nick Griffin note, he wasn't patroling (journalistic licence by the press on that one)he was merely out observing a patrol in action as part of his Corsham visit. You will pleased to know that the Corsham patrols are being greatly reduced. This is because we and residents are satisfied with the increased police presence since the introduction of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams to 3 areas of Corsham. It is hoped that in the near future the patrols will be suspended completely but can be recalled if the level of policing drops back to what it was and again only at the request of residents.
Strange that according to you they will now be suspended. Did the job for you did they?!
Kyle, Corsham says...
6:36pm Fri 18 May 07
JUNE 11TH - 5:30pm onwards.
Coverage by BBC news, ITV news, a variety of local radio station and papers.
African drumming along with other percussion will be present so feel free to bring a drum along and join or just come along and make your presence felt.
trog, says...
7:32pm Fri 18 May 07
Kyle wrote:Why dont you idiots get a life no-one takes any notice of you anyway. There's only one reason that you people dont want the BNP in government and that is because they would make you lot get of your fat butts and get a job.
BNP protest: JUNE 11TH - 5:30pm onwards. Coverage by BBC news, ITV news, a variety of local radio station and papers. African drumming along with other percussion will be present so feel free to bring a drum along and join or just come along and make your presence felt.
trog, says...
7:45pm Fri 18 May 07
There will be a anti UAF protest on the 11th June make sure everyone attending brings plenty of soap, shampoo and scouring pads.
Protesters are advised to wear masks for the initial assult. Bug killer a must.
Tristan, Corsham says...
4:10am Sat 19 May 07
It seems obvious to me that to fearfully create an enemy out of young people, and to alienate them by stalking them in gangs is to be doing exactly the thing you are complaining that they do.
I find patiently and respectfully talking to problem youths solves a lot of these problems and helps build relationships in the community. Our community should be in our hands, but we must be careful to include all members of that community.
Childish scaremongering and overzealous accusations of paedophilia simply show the depravity of most 'decent' citizen's minds, and is perhaps a contributing factor in the lack of direction and role-models anti-social young people have. It's not easy to GROW UP, and indeed I often meet many people by far my senior who I realise will never have the courage to do so. There is nothing wrong with elders talking to children in the community, it is an excellent way for knowledge and experience to be passed on. Sadly I must conclude by the British public's behaviour that our elders have learned so little through their lives that they can do nothing but act like infants.
May, Corsham says...
8:24am Sat 19 May 07
I do not want the BNP to have any power in this country. In my opinion the society they portray does not and never has existed in this country. I respect their right to hold their views but I resent their attempts to infiltrate our community through thinly veiled excuses of any kind of concern for our society. I believe this even more so after reading the awful arguments and statements that their supporters have posted on this site. I believe that, as a Corsham Town Councillor, Mr Simpkins should make a public statement to distance himself from the kind of insulting and abusive language that his supporters have displayed, if he wishes to gain even a modicum of faith or respect from the community that he represents. I would also particularly like to let trog know that, inspite of my apparently 'loony lefty' views, I wash regularly, have received a high standard of education, I do not have a 'fat butt' and I work extremely hard in a demanding job which probably provides services to everyone of the BNP supporters, without question about their political, racial, religious or cultural background. I resent his or her comments and would ask him or her to apologise to other people who have been insulted by his/her postings here.
BNP supporter, says...
10:21pm Sat 19 May 07
May, Corsham says...
11:10am Sun 20 May 07
MORE RUBBISH FROM MAY, says...
8:08pm Sun 20 May 07
I imagine the only people who knew were those close to the organisation?
Anyway why would anyone have stuck nazi propoganda on to mr howsons bebo site? and what is a 40 year old man doing communicating with young people in a way which leaves him incredibly vulnerable to accusation? surely as a youth worker he should understand those kind of rules of conduct with young people?
And anyway, am I the only one that is not surprised that the BNP are into all that horrid white pride stuff? the ideology is all over the postings left on this site, all over the internet, all over the BNP website, their literature etc etc.
If someone had wanted to bring mr howson down surely they would have put something far more damaging to his career on that site?
Im sorry but I very much doubt that his site was hacked. I do wonder, however, why a person who (through the act of becoming a member of the BNP obviously holds the views expressed in these videos) should feel it wrong to disseminte them to young people? If you are so sure of the morality of the views expressed by the BNP mr howson, why aren't you standing tall and telling us that you did put those images onto your website, that you are proud to be linked to them, that this ideology is not bad for our children and is the way forward for our community and our society? Why are you trying to wriggle away and disassociate yourself from the very messages that your supporters are bringing to this site? Oh, so many questions, you know the truth mr howson, why not be brave, and honest?
May, Corsham says...
10:15pm Sun 20 May 07
Kyle, Corsham says...
11:28pm Sun 20 May 07
Protest against BNP - NOT just for Rudloe or Corsham - ENTIRE southwest needs to unite.
CORSHAM TOWN HALL - June 11th - 5:30pm - covered by:
ITV News
BBC News
Various southwest Radio stations
Various southwest papers
Please post this information all over the internet so we can unite and put an end to this.
Rhythm is being used to join us in protest as it's something that transends racial, ethnic boundaries - people are encouraged to bring drums or any rhythm producing item.
Kyle, Corsham says...
11:40pm Sun 20 May 07
I don't feel people such ourselves have to defend the fact we wash and are highly educated but unfortunately it does seem necessary.
I work in a very demanding job supporting young adults with learning disabilities and Deafblindness. I also have a degree in animal science and self funded a two month long stay in Africa to work in great ape rehabilitation. I also use dove soap and clearasil if you must know BNP supporters.
I cannot believe you have absolutely no idea of the kind of perception you are fuelling with comments such as 'trogs'. In all my campaigning I have never stooped so low as to condemn BNP supporters as uneducated, misogynistic, self -loathing, indentity lacking, outdated simpletons yet posts by BNP supporters have done nothing to give the wider community cause to believe anything else.
I have read multiple posts across comment posts such as this one refering to anti-fascists as 'the great unwashed' or similar. My great grandad was a child of the first generation of Afro-Caribbean slaves to be freed and as far as I know, he fought for slave rights on Barbados before coming to England. I cannot believe that now, 72 years following his death, some people are still so uneducated that I have to continue the struggle for him.
Lee, Devizes says...
12:00am Mon 21 May 07
1) Racism against White peole (attacks etc which go unreported by the media).
2) No building of social housing coupled with mass uncontrolled immigration, (I say this as my two teenage children, lad 14, girl 13 have to share a bedroom in my flat, this as you know would be illegal for refugees. The council has a legal obligation to provide refugees with ADEQUATE housing).
3) Discrimination against BNP members by unions etc as they are in some peoples OPINION racist, whilst the same unions actively promote black & ethnic minority only groups.
Come on mate fair is fair, equality for all not just for some?
May, Corsham says...
3:29pm Mon 21 May 07
Lee, Devizes says...
10:20pm Mon 21 May 07
May, Corsham says...
11:09pm Mon 21 May 07
1. I hate racism, prejudice and negative stereotypical imagery of every description and have no time for anyone who inflicts pain or insult upon anyone else .
2. I believe that we should all have equal access to services and opportunities.
3. I believe that everyone has the right to their own views, including the bnp, and that everyone should have the right to bring their views to the public arena to be debated, but not the right to impose their views upon other people or ridicule or insult those who hold opposing views.
we should all be big enough people to enter into debate in an intelligent way, we should all be able to walk away from the debate, maybe not agreeing but certainly not at war with each other... We should be able to use humour to highlight the absurdity of certain situations, and that humour should be taken in the light it was intended. I hope that you will receive this posting in the spirit that it was intended.. May
Lee, Devizes says...
11:34pm Mon 21 May 07
chloe child, corsham says...
12:22pm Sun 27 May 07
and here we have yet another bullying tactic of the bnp.Is this the only way they can justify their own policies? by the march and generally anti-bnp feeling in corsham at the moment how can they justify forcing and imposing their presence on everyone??
Anon22, Corsham says...
9:43pm Sun 27 May 07
Nick Foley, Wilthire says...
1:55am Mon 28 May 07
trunkstuff wrote:If they call the police then it is a job well done by the BNP, and therefore force the police to come out and do the their job they should have done in the first place! Thanks for that bit of wisdom trunkstuff.
trunkstuff wrote:A warning to all young people who are approached by these patrols do not i repeat do not get in a vehicle or be taken home by any of these people, you do not have to go with them, if asked to go phone the police.........
If i were a young person i wouldnt go with a stranger not in a uniform, surely the bnp are joking about taking young people home,,,,, www.anti-social-behaviour.co.uk
jmf, corsham says...
12:15am Wed 30 May 07
would like to know why the gazette has deleted this line of discussion when it was so enthralling...
Alex, Melksham says...
7:09am Wed 30 May 07
jmf wrote:I agree, jmf, the majority of postings on that site where either supportive to the BNP or calling for more tollerance for their political views. I found all the points from all sides very interesting.
Have been following all this stuff... just wondered where the other article has gone... re bnp candidate taking his seat on Corsham Town Council... aren\'t we allowed to comment about that anymore? would like to know why the gazette has deleted this line of discussion when it was so enthralling...
I don't think our 'Free Press' like that. They are not fond of the Tories either. I wonder what their political leanings are? hmmm?
I see many postings from frightened
'frightened resident' ..frightened of what, free speach?
I even read May's ramblings to try to get a balanced view.
Kevin P, Wiltshire says...
7:30am Wed 30 May 07
Police resources are stretched to cope so any help they can get from any public minded person/s, even the BNP, must be in the ineterst of "Keeping Wiltshire Safe".
It would leave the police more time if they were not kept so busy chasing after alleged homophobic and racist comments.
What ever happened to one of our good old English sayings, "sticke and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!"
Concerned Resident, CORSHAM says...
11:52pm Thu 31 May 07
BNP got my vote!!!!!!!!!!
Nick Griffin
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Tracey, Wilts says...
11:58am Wed 16 May 07
Are all these people that are taking part in these 'patrols' CRB checked? If they are 'monitoring' groups of young people and even picking themup and taking them home, which incidently is a job for the police, then precautions should be in place to ensure that this does not become a smokescreen for people with less honest intentions. If I walked down my street, saw a child being naughty, stopped and picked that child up and took them home then I would be putting myself in a very vunerable position! This could be classed as abduction or kidnap of a minor, a much more serious offence in the eyes of the law than graffitti.