Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson criticises Government's "rehashed" crime plan

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson has criticised the Government's crime initiative describing it as a:- "rehashed plan with no extra money." The Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Government's plans this week, but Mr Esterson said the Government should be looking to places like Merseyside for a model for improved policing. The Liverpool City Region's current Labour Police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell has made visible policing, support for victims and a fair criminal justice system her main priorities.

Bill Esterson MP said:- "In Merseyside, Labour believes in being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. Far better to try to prevent people from becoming victims of crime than to have to solve crimes afterwards. Under Emily Spurrell and the previous Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy, there has been a focus on neighbourhood policing, and preventing crime in the 1st place. Despite cuts by the Conservative Government of a quarter of the budget and 1,500 staff over the last 11 years, Merseyside Police have been able to carry on some of the work introduced under the last Labour Government and have even opened a new Community Police Station in Maghull. Merseyside Police have also been able to put extra resources into crowd and traffic management along the coast as well as introducing initiatives to reduce burglary. Emily Spurrell is committed to putting more Police on the beat and to keeping our communities safe and has my full support in doing so. While the Police have been doing good things in Merseyside, with the full support of Labour Police and Crime Commissioners, the Police Federation say they have no confidence in the Conservative Home Secretary while Police chiefs are privately mocking the Prime Minister's announcement, which is just a rehashed plan with no extra money. The Conservatives have cut our Police to the lowest level in a generation. Today there are 8,433 fewer Police than there were in 2010 and it's communities like ours that are paying the price. The Government's announcement is a series of what the Police Federation describes as gimmicks and a handful of activities such as community payback which are already happening."

Mr Esterson said:- "There was no announcement of extra money and Police are facing a pay cut. So what will be cut to pay for the Prime Minister's rehashed plans? The Prime Minister's announcement was made without consulting the Police. His Government has cut the Police and Police support staff. The Conservatives have cut the court system, making prosecutions more difficult. The Conservatives have allowed crime to go up, while rape convictions are at a record low and support for preventative work such as investment in youth projects, drug and alcohol services, domestic violence prevention and voluntary sector funding have all been cut. The Conservatives have been soft on crime, have failed victims and have undermined the Police. This series of gimmicks will not solve the problems caused by years of Conservative cuts."

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson criticises Government's "rehashed" crime plan

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