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Report by Civitas
Posted on 07/01/2011
A report published today by the think-tank Civitas reports that crime will rise if police officer numbers are cut. Please see below the link to the story on the BBC News website and the link to Civitas. Below that is the statement we have issued to the media.
Please see below the link to the story on the BBC News website and the link to Civitas. Below that is the statement we have issued to the media.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12130230
http://www.civitas.org.uk/press/recent.php
Simon Reed, Vice-Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:
“This is a significant report from the respected think-tank Civitas which confirms our worst fears; that a reduction in police officer numbers as a result of a 20 percent cut to policing is highly likely to lead to increased crime rates and create a more dangerous society.
“This government cannot ignore the direct correlation between police officer numbers and the crime rate and must urgently reconsider the level of cuts the police service is facing over the next four years. The past 15 years saw a dramatic reduction in crime levels as police officer numbers were increased.
“With funding for Police Community Support Officers ring-fenced for two-years chief officers will have to make tough decisions about the number of police officers they can afford to maintain. We’re already seeing many forces freeze police officer recruitment and start proceedings to forcibly retire experienced officers with more than 30 years service. The cumulative effect of all of this is predicted in today’s Civitas report.
“With funding for Police Community Support Officers ring-fenced for two-years chief officers will have to make tough decisions about the number of police officers they can afford to maintain. We’re already seeing many forces freeze police officer recruitment and start proceedings to forcibly retire experienced officers with more than 30 years service. The cumulative effect of all of this is predicted in today’s Civitas report.
