Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham, Selly Oak) has slammed the Government over the rise in crime in the West Midlands which he says are a direct result of cuts to police funding.
The latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics today have revealed a 26% increase in violent crime in the West Midlands in the last 12 months. The figures also revealed a shocking 20% increase in Sexual Offences and a 19% increase in Domestic burglaries from September 2017 to September 2018.
West Midlands Police have had their budget cut by £175 million since 2010 which has meant the force has lost over 2000 officers. The provisional Police Grant announced in December 2018 fell far short of the figure they have been asking for. Government will give the police an extra £16M, the first time they’ve raised the grant by more than inflation in 8 years but most of the money will go on increased pension contributions and the national pay settlement and it will still mean another £24 per year for Council Taxpayers on top of last year’s rise.
Steve McCabe said:
“People will be really worried by the latest figures showing violent crime is up by 26% and burglary is up about 20% in the last 12 months although it largely confirms what constituents have been telling me. We know the budget cuts have had a catastrophic effect on our police service. Last year the Prime Minister, who started all these cuts when she was at the Home Office, told us that austerity was over. It’s time she put her money where her mouth is.
“My constituents deserve to feel safe in their homes and safe to walk the streets. Theresa May’s savage cuts have seriously undermined the strength and morale of our police and created the perfect environment for criminals to thrive.”
Published by