#CutsHaveConsequence – Government confirm cuts to police resource caused surge in violence
CUTS to police resources drove an increase in serious crime, the Home Office has finally conceded, confirming what officers knew along says South Yorkshire Police Federation.
After a lengthy process involving The Information Commissioner documents have been made public showing the Government’s own experts concluded that in late 2017 to early 2018, Whitehall cuts to police resources had contributed to the surge in serious violence.
That Cuts Had Consequences.
Publicly the Government over many years – including Prime Minister Theresa May, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and successive Policing Ministers denied the link.
“This is what police officers up and down the country have been saying all the time,” South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said.
“There now needs to be persistent work to reverse this. To acknowledge mistakes is part of a learning and growing exercise, so that’s been done.
“We need to then get back to far more proper investment into policing, not just the numbers of cops getting through the door, although that is obviously very welcome, but we need to have that investment in infrastructure in policing, technology in policing, and get us back to where we were and then beyond that.
“We’re the best police force in the world. I say it every time, but it’s true, we are. I think a lot of people probably admit that.
“We need to just invest in it.”