Former crime commissioner says children more at risk of neglect due to officer shortages
It comes following the death of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes
A former West Midlands crime commissioner has warned that officer shortages, coupled with the pandemic, have put children more at risk of neglect.
David Jamieson, who was the police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands, said that the combination had created a "lethal cocktail" that could lead to further neglect and abuse.
Despite the calls for reform, the former Labour councillor said he still had concerns for the safety of children in the West Midlands.
According to Mr Jamieson, resources continue to be stretched to their limit in the area, with the COVID-19 pandemic adding extra pressure on the already struggling services.
The comments come in the wake of the Arthur Labinjo-Hughes case, which saw his parents sentenced to 21 years for manslaughter.
Arthur suffered from neglect at the hands of his parents and ultimately died due to starvation and multiple beatings in June 2020.
Speaking about the case, Mr Jamieson said that the six-year-old from Solihull had been let down by his parents.
However, when asked why the police had not acted sooner, the ex-commissioner, who was presiding during the time of the abuse, said that police resources were incredibly stretched which got in the way of getting to the bottom of the case.
In response to Arthur's case, a national investigation has been launched and a probe into the social care and probation service in Solihull is underway.
Tributes have been paid nationwide to the six-year-old, with a football match between West Ham and Chelsea pausing at the sixth minute for a minute of silence to remember the child.