LOCAL AM TO DISCUSS LOCAL POLICING CUTS THREAT - Local Neighbourhood Policing under threat from Tory Lib Dem coalition cuts

Local Labour Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM will meet the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police to discuss issues including threatened cuts to local police services.

Mrs Watson said: “Bobbies on the beat make us all feel safer in our homes and communities.

“Yet one of the first acts of the new UK government coalition was to slash the police budget for this year. This year they plan to cut costs equivalent to the salaries of 31 constables across the Dyfed Powys area, with proposed further cuts equivalent to between 475 to 760 constables in years to come.

“As a former member of the Dyfed Powys Police Authority I know that neighbourhood policing relies on having policing teams on our streets protecting our communities, fighting crime and listening to residents’ concerns

“At the General Election Labour committed to halving the deficit by making tough choices, but we prioritised maintaining police funding.

“The Tories made no such commitment, while the Lib Dems called for 3,000 more police officers, so both parties have let us down, and we need to fight these cuts to our police.

“Under Labour there were record numbers of police working in neighbourhood teams and crime fell by 43 per cent. Cutting police officers is not the way to fight crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The Coalition Government advocate putting fewer serious criminals in prison and restricting the ability of the police to use the DNA database and CCTV to catch criminals, at the same time as cutting police budgets.

“Whilst everyone recognises that the deficit must be reduced, safety has to come first. Frontline policing should be prioritised. Fewer police and PCSOs will mean higher crime rates and more dangerous streets.”