The government have today announced the funding settlement for police force in 2020/21.
Following initial analysis of the annual police funding announcement West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, said:
“At last the government have recognised the damage they have done with ten years of cuts to policing. This must be the first step in addressing the chronic funding problems that still exist.
“I am pleased that after years of campaigning we have had some success in changing the government’s direction. There is much more for them to do though.”
“Since 2010 West Midlands Police have lost over 2,100 officers and faced real terms cuts of £175 million in government funding. Today’s announcement does not come close to unravelling a decade of under-investment in police forces.
“Out of the government’s planned 20,000 uplift in officer numbers – based on today’s figures – West Midlands Police can expect around 1,200 officers, despite having lost nearly double that number.
“It should also be noted that whilst good quality policing is crucial to reducing crime, other services have a big role to play to. We need to see an increase in youth services if the government are serious about tackling the root causes of crime too.
