Lib Dems: Govt must listen to police chiefs’ warning
Friday, 5 July 2019 10:38
Responding to a warning from five former Met Police Commissioners
that the police service “has had its resources drained to
dangerously low levels”, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson
Ed Davey said: “When even former police chiefs are talking
about a ‘feeling of lawlessness’ it’s clear that urgent action is
needed. Will the Government listen now? “Unnecessary
Conservative cuts have taken 5,000 police officers off our streets
since 2015, contributing to the...Request free trial
Responding to a warning from five former Met Police
Commissioners that the police service “has had its resources
drained to dangerously low levels”, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs
spokesperson said:
“When even former police chiefs are talking about a ‘feeling
of lawlessness’ it’s clear that urgent action is needed. Will the
Government listen now?
“Unnecessary Conservative cuts have taken 5,000 police
officers off our streets since 2015, contributing to the rise in
violent crime and making our communities less safe. Far too many
crimes go unsolved and too many young people feel the need to carry
knives for safety.
“This has to stop. The Liberal Democrats demand better. We
will give forces the resources they need to recruit more officers
and restore community policing.
“And we agree that a new Royal Commission on Policing is
needed to ensure that police forces can successfully tackle crime
and keep communities safe in the years to come.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
A Liberal Democrat Early Day Motion calling for a Royal
Commission on policing, tabled in October 2018, has received 51
signatures, including from Conservative, Labour, Green, Plaid
Cymru, DUP and independent MPs. It is
available here.
The letter to the Times, signed by former Met Commissioners
, ,
, Sir Paul
Stephenson and , as well as former Chief
Inspector of Constabulary Sir Keith Povey, former President of the
Association of Chief Police Officers Sir Hugh Orde and Met
Assistant Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, is
available here.
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