Local MP Stephen Morgan has warned the Tories are ‘failing to protect the public’ after new figures revealed Tory funding to Hampshire Constabulary is to be cut for an eighth consecutive year as police officer numbers nationwide fall to the lowest level in three decades.
Opposition MPs today attempted force the Government to back Labour’s plan to increase police officer numbers by 10,000. However, the Tories abstained on the vote.
Crime has increased in Portsmouth by 10%. However, since 2010, Hampshire Constabulary has lost almost 1,000 officers.
Stephen Morgan, the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South said:
‘People in our city are sick and tired of cuts to local police. Tonight, I voted to put an end to this short-sightedness.
The Tories had the chance to back Labour’s plan to put 10,000 officers back on our streets. Disappointingly, they refused to even vote on the matter. It’s high time they put the safety of our communities first.’
Stephen has met repeatedly with senior officers, gone out on patrol with local police, held a summit at Westminster with crime-hit businesses and the Policing Minister, and, most recently, written to the Police and Crime Commissioner to demand the release of further funding for frontline officers.
He is continuing to fight for a fairer funding deal for Hampshire Constabulary and working with others across the community to bring down crime.
Louise Haigh, Labour’s Shadow Policing Minister added:
‘While hard-pressed local taxpayers are being asked to pay more, the Conservatives want to force through another year of real-terms cuts to police from Westminster.
With officer numbers at record lows, it’s time the Tories called time on their reckless cuts and backed Labour’s plan to put 10,000 officers back on our streets.’
