Hull MP slams latest round of Police cuts

Hull North MP and Shadow Crime Minister Diana Johnson has condemned the latest round of frontline policing cuts, voted through the Commons by the Coalition today (13 February).

Figures released today show that the Government has cut over £1bn from the police since 2010, meaning 227 fewer police officers for Humberside.

The Home Office released the police grant figures for 2013/14 and confirmed that investment in police would be at a three year low with over £1bn cut from policing in England and Wales since the 2010 Election.

The Government's cuts to policing have resulted in the lowest number of police officers in England and Wales for over a decade. It was recently revealed that Humberside Police numbers have been cut by the Coalition to the lowest number since 1979 34 years ago.

Recent figures have also shown the proportion of crimes being solved by police is falling, with 30,000 fewer crimes solved in the last year, including 7,000 violent crimes against the person.

Diana Johnson MP said: "At the 2010 General Election the Lib Dems promised, in full knowledge of the deficit, 3,000 more police.

"Instead their Coalition Government has already cut 227 fewer police officers in Humberside. Recent figures showed that we already have the lowest police numbers in Humberside since 1979. This was even before the further policing cuts that Lib Dems and Tories voted through Parliament today.

"15,000 police officers would have gone nationally by the 2015 General Election. This Government's reduction in frontline police means fewer frontline officers, fewer officers responding to 999 calls and less visible policing on the streets.

"These huge cuts make it harder for the police to catch criminals and deliver justice. 30,000 fewer crimes were solved under this Government in the last year, including 7,000 crimes of violence against the person. Police also have weaker powers to combat anti-social behaviour.

"I know that the Chief Constable and their teams across Humberside are trying their hardest to deal with challenging crime issues, but thanks to the current Government's cuts thousands of crime victims are being denied justice, with thousands more criminals getting away with it. The thin blue line is getting too thin."