St Austell and Newquay MP led a late night debate in
Parliament on policing issues in Devon and Cornwall.
The Adjournment debate, which took place at the end of the day’s
business on Monday, on ‘Policing in Devon and Cornwall’ was an
opportunity to raise the exceptional challenges faced by Devon
and Cornwall Constabulary due to specific issues within the two
counties relating to tourism, rurality and being a peninsula.
In the debate Steve thanked and praised local Police for their
work all year round, but especially over the past four months of
the COVID-19 lockdown.
Speaking after the debate, Steve said:
“As we look at recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the
challenges that face our police force in Cornwall are more
relevant than ever before.”
“I was keen to take the opportunity to put on record my thanks to
our local police for the manner that they have carried out their
duties under very difficult circumstances during the recent
lockdown, but also be clear that now, with the delayed summer
season starting, is the ideal time to again raise the big issues
that impact upon our police and how they do their jobs.”
“These big issues include the vast geography the force has to
police and being e peninsula, the rural nature of the area
covered, the large seasonal population increases we experience
and the difference in funding between rural and urban forces.”
“The very nature of delivering services in rural areas makes them
more expensive. Combine that with having the longest road network
of any Police force and with the largest seasonal increase in
population our police do an incredible job. Add to the fact that
we currently receive below the national average funding for our
police they deserve a great deal of credit for the work they do.”
“I was pleased to put all these points across to the Minister
during the debate, and to make the case that going forward the
funding formula needs to be reviewed in order to better reflect
the true cost of delivering police services in rural areas.”
“I was pleased to be joined by MPs from across the SW to support
the debate and that the Minister acknowledged the good work of
Devon and Cornwall Police and that the door is open for the case
to be made for rural areas in future funding reviews.”
