Lib Dems betray Hull on police cuts

Hull North MP and Labour Shadow Home Office Minister Diana Johnson has slammed Hull Lib Dems for demanding even deeper local police cuts.


The accusation came after Hull Lib Dem councillors joined Tories from other local authorities at a meeting of the Humberside Police and Crime Panel today (4 February) to vote for even deeper cuts to local police numbers than those proposed by their own Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) even though Humberside police numbers had already fallen to the lowest level in 35 years.


The Tory PCC Matthew Grove had asked for an increase in the police precept of 1.9%, which amounts to 4p a week for most households. The PCC argued that his increase would safeguard around 20 frontline police officers.


Among those who voted for deeper police cuts was the Hull Lib Dem Group Leader, who had previously argued for greater spending on community safety!


Diana Johnson MP said: "At the 2010 Election Lib Dems promised 3,000 extra police officers.
"Within two years Coalition cuts voted through by the Lib Dems - aimed especially severely at our area - had reduced Humberside police numbers to the lowest level since 1979.


"Labour has consistently opposed unfair Lib Dem cuts to Hull's frontline policing.


"Now Hull Lib Dems want even deeper local policing cuts, voting to have around 20 frontline police fewer than proposed by the Tory Police and Crime Commissioner and backed up professional advice."