Mercury the Messenger, chapter II

Back to police stuff.
Every time I file a story I am acutely conscious - let me repeat that - I am acutely conscious there is a consequence.

If we report a bad run of muggings in your neighbourhood do you begin to wonder if it’s safe to go out any more? You may do.

There's been a couple of nasty ones where I live and it gave me pause for thought when I wrote the story and reflected that it was about a spot about 200 yards from my house.

But, of course it's safe to go out.

Ask someone how many cars got turned over in New Parks or Stoneygate this week. “Don’t know”, they’ll say. “Sixty?”

The answer might actually - in a good week admittedly - be none.

Have newspapers inflated the fear of crime? I don't know.

Bad reporting by definition distorts the way people see the world.

To me it's a case of 'good or bad, it's all news'.

An officer called me today and said he'd arranged for me to talk to an 89-year-old woman whose shopping bag had been stolen by some sneak.

Christmas presents, pension, personal stuff. All gone.

When I get the story together I will include some background.

Purse 'dipping' is big at this time of year - the shops are crowded and purses are bulging with savings drawn out for the big shopping trip.

While telling this lady's her story I will say that the picture is relatively good so far this year.

In Leicester city centre, the number of thefts has been low this past couple of weeks compared to previous years, some thieves have been locked up and the police (with the help of us as well as the telly and radio people) have done a great job
letting elderly women know that they have to be careful when they pop into town.

I know we’re in a position to influence the way people feel about all kinds of crime and, as a consequence, how at ease they are as they go about their business.

Going back to that earlier stuff about the council, for me it’s not whether I talk the city up, down or sideways.

It’s about telling people’s stories and keeping a sense of perspective. Let me know if you think I get it wrong.