Hull MP back on the beat with Humberside Police

Diana Johnson MP will be reporting for duty with Humberside Police on Monday morning (11 April).

The Hull North MP and Shadow Policing Minister will be spending 20 days with Humberside Police and London's Metropolitan Police as part of the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme.

The MP's first day on the course will be spent with Humberside Police's Public Protection Team in Market Weighton. This specialist police team works with the victims of sex and hate crimes.

The Police Service Parliamentary Scheme enables MPs to experience the varied work and challenges of frontline police, out on the beat and in specialist policing units.

Diana Johnson originally graduated from the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme in 2007 after spending 20 days working with Humberside Police. Now the MP is taking on the scheme's more advanced post-graduate course.

Diana Johnson MP said: "The time that I spent doing the first stage of the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme gave me a valuable insight into a range of policing work and I look forward to adding to this experience.

"Now, in 2011, I will be joining Humberside Police and London's Met under very different conditions to those I saw in 2006/07. Over the next few years, the unprecedented 20% cuts from the Coalition Government will be having a serious effect on frontline policing during the period that I will be doing this course.

"I will not look forward to seeing the damaging impact of these cuts on the streets and on the skilled policing that is essential to catching and convicting criminals."

Humberside Police's Chief Constable Tim Hollis said: "I'm delighted that Diana Johnson is now participating in the 'post graduate' element of the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme, building upon her experience with us in 2006/07.

"As a member of the Shadow Home Office team, it is important that she understands the current demands on the Police Service and the manner in which we seek to protect our communities and tackle criminals, in spite of severe budget cuts.

"I'm sure that my team will enjoy meeting her and that she will gain invaluable experience during her time with the Police."

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