DON\u2019T forget about police funding \u2013 that\u2019s the message from South Yorkshire Police Federation as the Government readies itself for a change in leadership.<\/p>\n
Brexit and the recent resignation of Theresa May has seen some important issues pushed onto the backburner but Steve Kent, South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman hopes that won\u2019t include talks about police budgets.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I could ask the Home Secretary [Sajid Javid] a question it would be what are his plans for the increase in funding for police?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen recent budgets for knife crime etc, but what we want to see, what we want to ask the Home Secretary is, is he going to continue to press for more central funding for policing in general?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Home Office recently announced a \u00a3100m war chest for forces to combat knife crime specifically although that will mostly be spent on officer overtime.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, whilst the overtime is welcome in terms of knife crime, it\u2019s just a plaster over a big cut.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need the police forces to get back up to the size that they were before the cuts started. So, I\u2019d be asking him if that\u2019s still on his agenda,\u201d Steve said.<\/p>\n