Beat Bobbies Complain About Cuts
West Yorkshire people are being put at risk by cuts to the police force here, members of the body representing bobbies on the beat have told MPs today. The local Police Federation has been down in parliament with its #CutsHaveConsequences campaign, highlight what the loss of almost 1,000 officers in the last few years means to how they operate. The force stands to lose ÂŁ163 million in Government funding cuts to policing. Fears are that many more police officer jobs will be axed.
"West Yorkshire Police is not alone as we stare ahead and wince at what the immediate future holds for us and the service we will be able to offer the public," Nick Smart, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, told MPs.
"Make no mistake, things will not remain the same."
A video has been produced to support the campaign.
Mr Smart added: "We have chosen to run this information and awareness campaign because we believe the public have a right to know what the ÂŁ163 million cuts to the policing budget mean.
"That crime is not falling; it is changing. That cuts have consequences.
"We face the pressures of terrorism, child sexual exploitation, safeguarding and vulnerability issues, cybercrime as well as traditional crimes and duties officers have to perform.
"Officers are not fools and neither are the public. Political rhetoric about reducing bureaucracy, new IT, new powers have not reduced demand sufficiently, if at all.
"You still need boots on the ground if you want to fight crime and keep the public safe."
"The police service is being eroded. Neighbourhood policing is being eroded. And our members are worried about the level of service they can provide to the public as a result of ongoing cuts.
"Something has to give. You do not get more or even the same with less. You only get less.
"For the public of West Yorkshire this means a poorer service with fewer front line police officers. We can only provide you with the service you are entitled to if we are funded correctly.
"If you are happy to have a private police service, if you are happy to have private companies protecting you and your families, if you are happy to have no control or say in your services, then do nothing.
"But, if you are not happy then only you can change what is happening. Take control of the future. Let politicians of all parties – in person, in writing, by email, on social media - know how you feel on policing."