“There has been a drastic reduction in officer numbers”

“ALL you get for less, is less” opposition party MPs have been told by South Yorkshire Police constables in a summit at the Houses of Parliament.

PC Zuleika Payne – pictured right with PC Lisa Kramer – was part of a delegation of Federation representatives who enjoyed an “encouraging” meeting with the seven Labour Party MPs in Westminster. “We have certainly had the ear of some very important, key people,” said PC Payne.

The seven Labour Party MPs asked the officers at the meeting on September 11 to come up with evidence to back up their claims that Government cuts are affecting police service delivery.

PC Payne added: “The fact they want us to come up with more evidence, facts and key figures and are encouraging dialogue – I am wholly encouraged by all of that.”

“There has been a drastic reduction in officer numbers. At the end of the day, all we are doing is failing the community, the society that we are supposed to be serving. We are failing members of the public.

“There is a sentiment out there that this Government will get the police service it deserves – and this country deserves a lot better. With falling officer numbers, we cannot deliver the level of service expected of us.”

PC Payne, who represents Rotherman constables, concluded: “We have had massive reductions in South Yorkshire – we have gone from 3,500 officers to 2,700. And we are told we have got to lose another 500.

“All you get for less is less.”