The Conservatives talk tough on crime but they are failing to keep the public safe, says GMB
23,500 police staff jobs have been lost in England and Wales since 2010, figures from GMB, the union for police staff, reveal.
The figures include more than 7,000 cuts to Police Community Support Officer roles (PCSOs). In one police force, Norfolk, PCSO numbers have fallen by 100 per cent after the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner cut all posts.
“The Tories talk tough on crime but in reality they’ve spent the last decade denying police forces the resources they need to keep the public safe. “They have put lives at risk every day.
- Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer
The most affected region is London, which has lost almost half (47 per cent or 9,000 jobs) of its police staff since 2010, including 72 per cent of PCSOs. The worst of the cuts were inflicted in the Metropolitan Police during Boris Johnson’s term as Mayor of London.
The North East is the second worst affected region with almost a third of jobs lost.
The term police staff covers a wide range of roles including custody officers, 999 call handlers, PCSOs, scene of crime investigators, and technical and administrative support jobs.
These job losses are on top of cuts to police officer numbers.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:
“These cuts are an absolute disgrace – not content with taking more than 20,000 police officers off our streets, under the Conservatives 23,500 staff roles have been slashed too.
“GMB members undertake essential jobs – police forces could not function without out them but cuts are forcing the service to breaking point.
“The Tories talk tough on crime but in reality they’ve spent the last decade denying police forces the resources they need to keep the public safe.
“They have put lives at risk every day.
“Only Labour can be trusted to put police back on our streets and provide the staff needed to maintain law and order.”
After the #ITVDebate remember this:
— GMB UNION (@GMB_union) November 19, 2019
Boris Johnson and the Tories only stand for more of the same. More insecure jobs, cuts to public services and tax breaks for the rich.
We need a fresh start with the Labour Party standing up for working people and their families. pic.twitter.com/4dd6EA7AuB
