MP, Labour’s Shadow Home
Secretary, commenting on the new counter-terrorism strategy,
said:
“Tories have under-funded counter-terrorism policing and cut
police officer numbers by 21,000. Police leaders and the rank and
file have publicly complained that cuts are undermining their
ability to fight terrorism. The Tories’ focus on local
authorities is a red herring when they have savagely and
irresponsibly cut our police force’s budget.
“A review by QC showed that the
Government needs to improve its efforts to tackle terrorism. But
shockingly has largely ignored the
review’s recommendations. Just as bad, it looks like he’s not
providing any new resources. Moreover, there’s no point him
trying to blame the EU for the Government’s inability to resolve
problems it has created on the European Arrest Warrant.
“A properly funded police force, working with communities,
counter-terror experts and MI5 that can make the difference.
However, as we have seen with the Prevent strategy, these new
plans could also lead to inappropriate targeting of communities,
and lead to further alienation we need to reduce.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Counter-Terror Policing requested a £104m uplift in funding
in 2018/19 & a £152m uplift in funding in 2019/20. But they
received less than half of that.
“Counter-terrorism police will receive a £50m increase in
like-for-like funding when compared to 2017/18,” – Written
Statement: Police Funding, 31st January 2018: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-01-31/HCWS439/
