Policing Is Not ‘Crying Wolf’ About Cuts

Growing concerns about police not being funded enough to do the job are serious and not forces “crying wolf”, South Yorkshire Police Federation has warned.

Chair Steve Kent said the public felt there was a “breakdown of society and a sense of lawlessness”, but police officers were already stretched to the maximum.

The Government has already been warned by the Police Superintendents’ Association that officers of all ranks are being worn down.

Steve said: “People and politicians may argue that things look differently, but the test is asking the public what they think.

“They think that policing isn’t strong enough to deal with what they want us to, and that ties into the public trust of policing.”

Steve believes the public should be consulted on what its top priorities for policing are and legislate on them.

He also called on authorities to stop “weaponising” police misconduct proceedings and instead equip officers to do the job properly.

Steve added: “People want bobbies on the beat. Well, if you want bobbies on the beat, we need more of them. Simple.

“Cops would love to have the time to proactively police a beat and that’s what the public want too, they want visibility.”