This is graph shows how the Northumbria Police workforce has changed over the last seven years under the Conservatives:
- Since 2010 the total police workforce has dropped by 27%
- In 2010 there were 4,187 police officers, in 2017 there were 3,289
- In 2010 there were 2,010 police staff, in 2017 there were 1,348
- In 2010 there were 438 PCSOs, in 2017 there were 163
Over the past seven years of Tory government England and Wales have lost over 45,000 police officers and staff – a 19% drop in the workforce. Recent reports from the Office for National Statistics and police watchdog HMIC have found that forces are struggling to respond to demand due to budget cuts. Northumbria Police, the territorial police force responsible for policing my Newcastle Central constituency, is no different, and has seen a higher than average percentage drop in the police workforce from 2010 to 2017.
Cuts to the police force endanger communities and endanger police officers too. Labour’s approach to policing crime will be different.
We will support the police in the performance of their duties. We will provide officers, police community support officers and civilian staff with the equipment and people they need to provide effective policing services, including from the growing threat of cybercrime. We will also work to eliminate institutional biases against BAME communities.
We will work with the police to ensure that our communities are safer, for all of us.