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Police chief moves home to escape yobs on his wall
Rob Singh, Crime Reporter21.02.08
A police chief has admitted he was forced to move house by youths lurking outside his home.
Superintendent Wayne Mawson, in his forties, said he left the property in Hackney because he did not want to confront teenagers sitting on his wall.
The head of operations for Haringey, north London, added that the youths had made him nervous about his work - and confessed he had given in to their loitering.
Mr Mawson, who earns about £70,000 a year, said: "I gave in to them because it was either that or start challenging them. My quality of life has improved massively since then."
Mr Mawson made the admission at a neighbourhood watch meeting at the Royal British Legion in Crouch End as he highlighted the important role that safer neighbourhood police teams play.
"They are not only about the big stuff, but also about looking after situations like this, serving the everyday needs of our community," he said.
The senior officer's revelation that he moved home rather than challenge the teenagers will be seen as a sad comment on a Britain menaced by violent and threatening street gangs.
Mr Mawson was posted to Harrow Borough when he was promoted to Inspector in August 2000.
After leading a response team he then took over the role as borough liaison officer and wrote the first crime and disorder reduction partnership strategy. He was made a chief inspector in July 2003 at Harrow and became head of the partnership unit.
In May 2004 he transferred to territorial policing HQ as staff officer to the deputy assistant commissioner, territorial policing (operations), and later to assistant commissioner, central operations, at New Scotland Yard.
Reader views (6)
It is not about his honesty in this matter, it is about the fact of him talking up the 'safer neighbourhood' teams but being driven out of his 'neighbourhood' because it is not safe, and they wonder why kids run around with swords causing trouble when someone in this position just runs away from trouble.... so what about the people who move in to his old house? £70 grand a year, just go to a new country mate seems like the police couldn't care less anyway
- George, London, UK
I am constantly plagued by yobs, young and old, male and female, drunk or sober.. I have had my windows smashed repeatedly, my tiles on my roof broken. Every evening's peace raped by the wheel screaming, engine revving racing car and bassy mobile disco fraternity.
What chance has the country got with total wasters like him in charge. Everyman should stand and fight! Come on you spineless losers, come out from behind your curtains.
I won't move. I won't give in..
It's my house, my street too, my town, and my country..
Black, White, Christian, Muslim, I don't care. Let's take it back together.
Don't leave it all to me please. Come on!
- Jerry, Northants
As a serving officer, but only a PC, moving house would not be an option under the current economic conditions. A Superintendent has the luxury of a hefty salary and the choice to move when in fact he could have shown backbone and leadership. I expect more from senior management. What kind of example is this to his teams?
- Paddy, Buckinghamshire
We should appreciate his honesty, I could not see anyone in Nu Labour being that straight.
- George, Hempstead
People refusing to challenge these thugs are half the problem. What message does that send? It emboldens them and makes them push their luck further and we end up with people getting killed. This officer should be disgusted with himself as he has not just a moral duty but a professional one to do something for his community.
- Mark, London
I bet the people who bought Mr Mawson's house are thrilled to read this.
- David, London, England
