Police: Government cuts police money while crime is on the increase

At a recent debate in the Hyndburn Borough Council chamber, Labour members decried the government's cuts to local policing which have seen over 700 frontline officers and 500 investigative staff laid off since 2010.

The local Conservatives fought back with claims that we now have a more efficient police force and that reported crimes are down.
New figures confirm the extent of the cuts will force police chiefs to raise their portion of council tax by nearly 12% in five years. The Chancellor stated to MPs in November: "There will be no cuts in the police budget at all. The police protect us, and we’re going to protect the police."

However, the government's direct funding for the police will fall £131million between 2016/17 and 2019/20, Home Office figures have shown. The figures also revealed Home Office police grants are set to fall £209m between this year and next year - a cut of 2.7% to £7.4b.

Specific crime figures for Hyndburn show that crime figures in the Accrington area are the worst in the borough:

• Assault with injury up 110% from 487 in 2013/2014 to 1021 in 2014/2015 
• Attempted burglary in a dwelling up 139% from 31 in 2013/2014 to 74 in 2014/2015
• Criminal damage to vehicles up from 472 in 2013/2014 to 827 in 2014/2015
• Possession of controlled drugs (cannabis) up 82% from 83 in 2013/2014 to 151 in 2014/2015