Claim cuts not to blame for crime rise is ‘preposterous’

27 April 2018

CLAIMS that cuts to police numbers are not to blame for a rise in violent crime are ‘preposterous’ according to Essex Police Federation Chair, Steve Taylor.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd MP recently said that there was ‘no evidence’ that cuts had led to an increase in murders and violence and blamed rising drug use instead. Steve says Rudd’s claims are ‘disingenuous at best and preposterous at worst’.

Essex Police has lost 749 officers since 2010.

“The increase in violent crime comes as a result of us losing almost 750 officers,” he said.

“You just can’t ignore that – it’s not the only factor of course, but to suggest it doesn’t have an impact is ridiculous.

“It’s not just violent crime either and while the issue is a complex one, the reduction in officers is one of the different facets behind it.

“One of the biggest issues is the damage it’s had on neighbourhood policing – that’s the first line in our battle with terrorism and if we are not there picking up on what’s being said in communities then we are missing a beat, missing an opportunity to detect terrorist activity and planning early on.

Steve says that the then Home Secretary Theresa May should have listened to leading officers when she attended the PFEW Conference back in 2015, when GMP Inspector Damian O’Reilly warned that there would be a ‘price to pay’ for the erosion of neighbourhood policing.

“Regrettably we are seeing the results now,” added Steve.

“And when people say additional officers are being deployed it’s the same officers, they are just having to work harder and for longer hours.

“The extra 150 officers we are about to receive has to be set against the 750 we’ve lost.

“It’s clearly wrong to say that cuts don’t play a part in what’s happening.

“Amber Rudd needs to listen to us, to police professionals, what we are saying is based on fact and experience – don’t disregard it for the sake of politics.”