SIR – There is much interest in the strategic alliance between West Mercia and Warwickshire police (Worcester News, June 20).
But Worcester News readers could be forgiven for thinking that cuts to police numbers are a result of the alliance. This is not the case.
The alliance is responding to the huge funding cuts from the Government that will see nearly 500 police and community support officers taken off our streets.
In David Cameron we have a prime minister who thinks that you cut crime by cutting police jobs.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) says that across the country 16,000 police officers will lose their jobs as a result of the Government’s 20 per cent cuts. HMIC said that the planned 12 per cent cuts under the last Labour government could have been delivered without any police jobs losses.
I applaud our Chief Constable [David Shaw] and the police authority for the bold steps they are taking with the alliance.
But let no one be any doubt as to where the blame lies for cuts that are taking bobbies of our streets.
Dr SIMON MURPHY
Labour candidate for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
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