West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has described comments in the Home secretary’s speech to the Police Federation Conference as ‘out of touch with the realities of the West Midlands.’
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s comments follow on from Theresa May’s speech in which she told the Police Federation to stop “crying wolf” over the cuts.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said,
“Theresa May is totally out of touch with the realities of the West Midlands. There are over 1,600 fewer police officers on our streets since 2010 and worryingly recorded crime rose last year.
“In the West Midlands like the country as a whole crime rose slightly last year. That rise should have been a wake-up call for the Home Secretary. The demands on the police are rising not falling as crimes like domestic violence and FGM are growing in importance.
“The West Midlands receives £43 million pounds a year less than the government’s own formula says we need. The West Midlands is losing out to lower crime areas, with less need.
“If we are to continue to tackle crime and solve the complicated crimes of the future then the government needs to give us our fair share and invest in local policing.”
In the West Midlands there has been a one per cent rise in recorded crime, compared to a two per cent national rise.
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