22nd September 2025

https://www.libdems.org.uk/news/article/policing-fit-for-the-future

A protest in Romiley has raised serious questions about how much of our public resources are being used inefficiently, especially during a time when our MP, Lisa Smart, has been LibDem Home Affairs Spokesman.

The Incident

A Romiley resident staged a demonstration outside Lisa Smart’s constituency office to express grievances over wildlife crime and destruction of Local Wildlife Site at Padden Brook. The protester was reportedly peaceful simply holding up an A4 piece of paper on which was written Useless Local Councillors, but local police were called twice to respond. Once and again 10 minutes later. On both occasions, officers attended at considerable expense in time, travel, and manpower. No arrests were made.

The Wider Cost

All of this at a time when many citizens feel that the police, courts, CPS, and prison service are stretched thin. The question many are now asking: was all this necessary, or was it a massive waste of already stretched public resources?

Context: Lisa Smart, Andrew Stunell, and Mr Parnell

To understand why this is seen by some locals as especially galling, a brief refresher:

    The Irony

    That this all happened during the period when Stunell was MP and Lisa Smart was working in his office adds irony:

    • Those in favour of her policy proposals argue that poorly managed responses like to this protest are exactly the kind of thing needing reform.
    • Critics argue that, had action been taken earlier (e.g. by the MP’s office) to engage with citizen concerns, maybe the protest would never have reached the stage of needing repeated police intervention, let alone court involvement.

    Impact on Community Trust

    Many locals report that these events erode trust:

    • Police arriving twice for the same protest gives an impression of overreaction, or poor readiness to engage constructively with protestors.
    • All this is particularly relevant when “Policing Fit for the Future”, as championed by Lisa Smart, emphasises swift justice, improved responses, and smarter use of public money. Liberal Democrats

    Calls for Change

    Some Romiley residents are now calling for:

    • Clearer guidelines on when police should be deployed for local protests, especially peaceful ones.
    • More involvement by elected officials (MPs, councillors) in mediation so that public protests are less likely to escalate.

    What Happens Next

    If nothing changes, locals suggest, then similar situations are likely to recur with similar waste of public time and money. Supporters of reform argue that the “Policing Fit for the Future” proposals can’t just be words — they must translate into action.