Government Should Listen To Public On Police Funding

THE Government should listen to the public’s concerns about proper funding of the police service.

The public now see crime as being more important to them than health, according to a YouGov poll carried out in March.

That’s a sure sign of the consequences of decades in cuts to policing, according to Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor.

He said Essex officers continue to battle the challenges they face to help and support the public in the county.

“We need to see this [new public concerns] reflected in Government priorities,” he said.

“How much did the NHS get when they [the Government] claimed austerity was over? How much was earmarked for further investment on the NHS when everyone values the NHS and what it does?

“Now if that survey is correct, people are more concerned about crime. So, are we going to see a reciprocal increase in investment in those fighting crime and the fear of crime? The cynic in me says, ‘no, of course we’re not’. But we desperately need it – I’m just sceptical of whether the Government listen.

“Hopefully there’ll be a price that they have to pay for that, over and above that which our communities are facing every day with the poor standard of investment in a whole host of public services, first and foremost obviously being the police.”

Despite the pressures, the service is under officers in Essex continue to do everything they can to support and protect the public, he added.

“Despite the austerity, we’re there for them, and we’re trying to do the very best that we can for our communities in Essex.”