PCC criticises Government Police funding plans

The Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Clive Grunshaw, has criticised a government statement which promises an extra £450m of funding for extra officers in 2018.

The money will come from an increase on the Police precept portion of Council Tax meaning that the public will be paying the bill.

Clive said, “I welcome any new funding for policing in Lancashire but, in truth, this is a sticking plaster trying to cover up the gaping wound created by seven years of cuts. Since 2010, in Lancashire, we have lost 800 police officers and over 400 police staff. An increase of £12 in the council tax precept will give us an additional £6m but after inflation and the modest pay award we will be left with less than £2m to reinvest - to replace over £70m that has been taken away."

He added, "It is also an unfair burden on the hard pressed council tax payers of Lancashire. The Government gleefully announce additional funding for policing but in reality they have passed on the responsibility of paying for that increase to the local tax payers.”