Devastating police cuts “betray the public” claims Rochdale MP

After the latest figures show that crime rates have risen once again, Tony Lloyd, Rochdale MP, has said the public is 'being betrayed' by 'devastating' police cuts.

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that Rochdale has once again seen crime grow by more than 2% whilst some crimes, like robbery and burglary, have risen by over 20%.

These figures are consistent with crime statistics which show crime of all types has grown across Greater Manchester by an astonishing 24% over the last five years.

Greater Manchester’s Chief Constable recently said budget cuts and falling officer numbers had forced Greater Manchester Police to ‘screen out’ 43% of cases sent to the force.

GMP has seen some of the biggest cuts of any police force, losing £250m in central government funding since 2010, plus 2,000 police officers and 1,000 police staff.

This is against a backdrop of increasing crime and complex demand such as cybercrime, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

An increase in council tax for 2019/2020 is expected to bring 320 new police officers to our streets, increasing total officer numbers to 6,570 – still some way from the 8,219 officers in 2010.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125818/greater-manchester-communities-to-benefit-from-more-police-officers-after-an-increase-in-council-tax

Government ministers have denied that cuts make a difference, but crime has continued to grow whilst fewer crimes are being solved.

Rochdale MP, Tony Lloyd, said: “Every crime means misery for somebody; every crime not solved leaves the public feeling unprotected and emboldens the criminal. Police cuts are devastating, they stop police officers from doing the job they want to and break faith with the public.

“Labour has promised to increase police numbers by 10,000 to begin to put a lid on crime and reverse the trend under the Conservative and Liberal Democrat years.

“I get too many complaints from constituents who have been victims of crime and too often have seen no one brought to justice.

“The public want more police and it is now time the Conservative government begins to listen.”

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.