Self fulfilling prophecies

Twice this week I’ve come across self fulfilling prophecies – and I just wonder whether the people involved notice!

Firstly, Post Office Closures – sorry “Post Office® Network Change Programme“. 6 Post Offices, including one in Impington, are under threat of closure. It’s purely a numbers job – the network is losing money, so they need to cut the numbers. IF one PO is saved through consultation responses, its more than likely that another will be selected.

Of course, not all the business from the closing POs will transfer to the remaining ones. People and businesses will change the way they work, the services they use. More will use internet services (did you know that you can even print stamps online?) – some will even switch to competitors.

The current PO network is losing £3M (or £3.5M – Cambridge Evening News yesterday quoting Post Office Minister Pat McFadden). Having closed 2,000 sites, leaving a network of 12,000, they’ll still be losing money – and will still have more than they need to meet the Government criteria (eg 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office).

Of course, if you look at it the other way, as an investment for UK plc, the arguments are quite different. The changes will lose the Post Office (and probably Royal Mail) business/money; will increase carbon footprints for those who have to travel further, and eat into community life – something the government (with another hand) wants to support. And in the grand scheme of government spend, £200M (say) is small beer – and a good investment.

How much would you bet on another round of closures in a few years time?

Use it or lose it!

Secondly, crime reporting and the Police. We’re fortunate, we don’t have many serious crimes – but petty crime and anti-social behaviour can eat into confidence and people’s lives. The Police, however hard they try, can’t always find the perpetrators and deal with them – and even if individuals are caught the punishment may not meet the expectations (or hopes) of the public.

So, are we under-reporting crimes? That was certainly the case earlier this year – and prompted a rapid response from the Police which produced real results when a clearer picture was visible. Is it the case now? Perhaps – or definitely the case according to a local resident I spoke to on Thursday.

He told me that residents didn’t feel anything would be done if they did report incidents – so they didn’t bother.

Well, if they don’t report problems, they certainly won’t be sorted.