Telford MP and council leader demand re-think to police cuts
Telford MP David Wright has joined with Telford & Wrekin Council Leader, Cllr Kuldip Sahota, in demanding a re-think of plans by the new Police and Crime Commissioner to cut police numbers in Telford. They are also seeking an urgent meeting with him.
The plans, announced last week by PCC Bill Longmore, would see 200 officers removed from West Mercia and Warwickshire Police - in addition to those already cut.
David Wright MP said: "Telford is a growing town and I want people to feel safe when they are out and about and in their own homes. How can the PCC who stood on a platform of no cuts to frontline policing now expect the public to take him seriously when he proposing such a slash to policing?
"I have been pressing West Mercia Police for many months about their plans for policing and now we have the truth revealed. This is potentially disastrous for local people as response times will inevitably increase, and frontline community policing will suffer. I expected the new PCC to demand more from central Government, not roll over and pass on this attack on the police which will impact on local communities safety."
Cllr Sahota said: "The new PCC said he would protect frontline policing and the public would be protected but now we see his real plans. The cost of running his office is set to be higher than the cost of the Police Authority whilst he proposes cutting the number of police which local people depend on."
"Telford has some of the most challenging areas to police in the whole of the West Mercia due to high deprivation and the new PCC should be listening to these communities and their elected representatives."
