Angela Eagle: Cut crime and not police on our streets

Nov 30 2011 by Our Correspondent, Wallasey News

AS a result of Government cuts, 14.4% of police officers from communities in Wirral are set to go. This means 650 fewer police officers on Merseyside’s streets.

On top of this, 451 police staff and a further 103 PCSOs will lose their positions and I believe the Government is cutting too far and too fast.

Across the country, 16,000 officers are being lost alongside 16,000 police staff and 1,800 PCSOs.

Crime fell by 43% under Labour, thanks in no small part to the record numbers of police officers the last Government recruited.

Under this Government we have already seen a worrying increase in burglary, theft and violent crime and an irresponsible gamble is being taken with policing in Wallasey.

We had a clear plan to find savings of around 12% over the course of this Parliament, which Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary said could be achieved without impacting on the frontline. I understand the Government is implementing cuts of 20%, which is too far, too fast.

Next month the Government will ask people for their opinion on the frontloaded policing cuts they are proposing for next year. I will be telling the Government that we need a plan to cut crime, not a reckless plan to cut police officers.