Fears Over Recession Crime Rise
February 11, 2009 11:45 PM
Bristol East Liberal Democrat Prospective Member of Parliament, Mike Popham is concerned about Police fears of a rise in 'recession crime'.
Increased crime linked to the economic depression is coupled with the Government continuing to short-change Avon and Somerset. Compared to other forces of a similar size, Avon and Somerset has missed out on £50 million in the last four years because of the complex formula Whitehall chiefs use to work out police funding. This year alone it will miss out on £12 million - which would pay for more than 300 extra officers.
It is the people of Bristol and the surrounding area who are paying the real price. The increased funding this year resulting from the formula will take about 50 years to get back to a level playing field. During that time the people of Avon and Somerset are being disadvantaged. We're the second worst affected force in the country. Only West Midlands is worse than us.
The Police have lobbied MPs and the Home Office but the situation is the way it is and they have got to work with that, which they are. The men and women of Avon and Somerset can be proud of what has been achieved against that background of continual under funding. It's going to be a tough two to three years for our Police with the public quite rightly dissatisfied that, on occasions, they may not act on a report or request straight away nor provide feedback.
"But they are all we have and we must help them help us", Mike said.
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