PCC and Shadow Minister call for proper funding
30th November 2018
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC, and Chief Constable Winton Keenen have welcomed Shadow Policing Minister, Louise Haigh to the region to hear about some of the force’s leading schemes and services – many of which could be under threat depending on the outcome of the Government’s next funding settlement.
Dame Vera has, time and time again, called on the Government to make more funding available for policing – to keep officers on the streets and to enable good work in protecting the vulnerable and delivering quality investigations to continue.
As part of her visit, Louise had a tour of the Tyne to hear about some of the services under threat. She heard from Marine Unit officers about the work they do and how it benefits police investigations as well as receiving a presentation from the force’s cybercrime showcase some of the software and technology being used to solve crimes.
The MP also met with members of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – hearing about work being done to tackle the priorities set out by local residents.
As well as discussing a range of schemes where Northumbria is leading the way for tackling domestic abuse, the MP heard about Victims First Northumbria – an independent victim referral service which offers support to victims of crime.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, said: “I’ve been delighted to welcome Louise to the North East. We have some fantastic work being done here and it’s been great to give her the opportunity to see first-hand how hard we are working to make a difference supporting victims and solving crime. But, we can’t keep all this work up – if we don’t get an appropriate level of funding from Government, everything will come under review – some services may have to go and ultimately public safety and communities will pay the price. ”
Shadow Policing Minister, Louise Haigh, pictured below, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to meet with Northumbria police this week and see the fantastic commitment they have to their area in the face of huge challenges. In the last eight years they’ve lost 1,000 officers and are facing further cuts thanks to this Tory Government. In that context they simply cannot provide the service they used to but their community policing and focus on the vulnerable remains steadfast.”
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