Officers get help in Romanian matters

Friday, 14 September 2012

International: Sergeant Alun Withers with the Romanian officers

Eastern European cops lend expertise to Barnet police

By Daniel O’Brien

POLICE investigators have joined forces with Romanian officers to improve relations with the borough’s migrant community while helping to target its criminal minority.

For the past two months, ten visiting officers from cities and towns across Romania have been advising their British counterparts while accompanying them on patrol in Barnet.

Officers have been visiting Romanian communities to discuss any problems they have and to trace nationals wanted for various crimes.

Inspector Alexandieu Minea said he and his visiting officers had received a mixed response from their fellow countrymen and women. “They were surprised to see us,” he told The Press. “The honest, hard-working Romanians were happy to see us because they are angered by the bad name some of our nationals have given them. They are hoping that we can help the Met police get rid of such individuals.

“You can imagine that some of the wrongdoers were not that pleased to see us.”

So far the guests have visited several community hubs in the borough, including the former Hendon Football Stadium in Claremont Road, where a group of homeless Romanian nationals have been squatting since 2009.

Sergeant Alun Withers, of Barnet police, said their Romanian counterparts had been particularly
helpful in changing attitudes towards homes containing large groups of Romanian nationals.

He said: “There is a perception that if there is a number of Romanians in a house then it is a squat. But we have discovered that often they are not. They are paying rent and living there legally.

“Our officers have really enjoyed working with their Romanian counterparts,” he added. “Firstly in showing them what they do, but also benefiting from their experience.”

Email: daniel.obrien@nlhnews.co.uk

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