Emma Hardy MP backs Labour’s plan to bring back neighbourhood policing, as statistics show a 39% cut to PCSOs across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Labour have attacked the Tories’ failure to keep local communities safe, as shocking new analysis shows huge reductions in staffing for neighbourhood policing in the Yorkshire and the Humber.
The number of PCSOs across the Yorkshire and the Humber has collapsed by 39% since 2010.
The most recent crime statistics show a 50% increase in reported robbery since 2015 and 75% increase in knife crime in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Labour has pledged to bring back neighbourhood policing by putting 13,000 more neighbourhood police on Britain’s streets, including recruiting at least 10,000 more officers, PCSOs and specials.
Labour’s plans are the equivalent of giving every constituency in England and Wales 15-20 extra neighbourhood police – formed of officers, PCSOs, and Specials.
Across the country, the number of PCSOs has halved since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. In the same period, the proportion of people saying they never see a police officer on the beat has doubled.
Local community champion and founder of HU4 Community Network Hub, Terry Sullivan said:
“As police presence has declined, Pickering area has seen a huge increase in anti-social behaviour.
Many people have approached me with concerns over the number of incidents happening, particularly on Boothferry estate, and I believe the increase is due to a lack of police presence in the community, to engage with local people and act as a deterrent. There are currently only two PCSOs covering our area and other areas of West Hull and it is simply not enough.
I welcome Labour’s plan to bring back neighbourhood policing as I believe it will make a huge difference in the HU4 area and help clamp down on anti-social behaviour.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said:
“The Tories have completely decimated neighbourhood policing, leaving our communities without the protection they need.
“Knife crime has shot up putting young lives at risk, meanwhile antisocial behaviour is blighting town centres and local communities. But the neighbourhood police who could prevent crimes like this and support victims have disappeared.
“Labour has a serious plan to bring back neighbourhood policing, with a fully-funded package for 13,000 extra neighbourhood police on our streets.
“The last Labour government brought in neighbourhood policing, and now, after more than a decade of Tory neglect, we will restore it.”
