Stephen Morgan MP spoke up for the city’s communities blighted by anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the House of Commons today over the government’s ‘failure’ to provide Portsmouth police with the support they need.
Speaking at Home Office questions, the city MP criticised the Tories for their record to help keep local communities safe, as analysis shows huge falls in staffing for bread-and-butter neighbourhood policing in the South East.
According to analysis of government figures by Labour, the region has lost 454 PCSOs and officers since 2015 – a 10 percent drop.
Nationally, the total number of neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs has fallen by 10,000 since 2015, whist more than 14 million people last year had their lives blighted by graffiti, drug dealing, and noisy neighbours.
In government, Labour has said it will restore neighbourhood policing, with visible neighbourhood police hubs in all local areas backed by new neighbourhood prevention teams made up of police, community support officers, youth workers and local authority staff.
These teams would prioritise being visible on patrols, preventing crime before it happens and working with communities to address local problems. They would pursue serial perpetrators of ASB or low-level crime, as well as dealing with visible signs of disorder such as broken windows, graffiti, fly-tipping, or drug dealing. These teams will also support victims of ASB.
The Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, said,
“Portsmouth police go above and beyond to tackle anti-social behaviour in our communities, but government is failing to provide them with the support they need.
“To boost our local economy and get our city centre going again, people need to have confidence to go out both day and night in the area they live. Tory Ministers have stopped that from happening.
“I will continue to speak up in Parliament to secure the police services our city deserves.”
The city MP meets regularly with senior police leaders to discuss local concerns and has been liaising with the Police District Commander over Operation Nautical, aimed at tackling ASB and crime in Old Portsmouth this summer.
Commenting on the Minister’s poor response to the concerns raised, the Portsmouth MP added:
“Conservatives would rather argue amongst themselves than take responsibility for bringing down crime and antisocial behaviour, which is making life miserable for many in Portsmouth and across the country.
“I am clear that the buck stops with this government. I will continue to raise constituents’ concerns and fight for fairer funding and resources our police force needs.”
In addition to today’s parliamentary intervention, Mr Morgan recently joined local police on patrol and convened a roundtable for businesses in Guildhall Walk to hear their views, concerns and ideas to make the area safer and friendlier.
