MP SLAMMED FOR SILENCE ON POLICE CUTS

12.00.00am GMT Wed 27th Jan 2010

Government figures have revealed that Durham has suffered the second biggest police cuts in the country over the last 5 years.

Of the 43 police forces in England and Wales only South Yorkshire has lost a higher percentage of its officers than Durham.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Durham, Carol Woods, has attacked the Government and asked why the local MP has failed to stand up for Durham on this issue.

Carol said, "These latest figures confirm my worst fears about police numbers in Durham. Funding cuts from Government mean we now have 6% less police than we did 5 years ago - that's 100 less police officers. This is not backroom staff, this is actual police officers. Most forces in the country have actually seen their police numbers rise but, yet again, Durham has been let down and we have had to endure huge cuts.

"While Labour are keen to talk tough about crime they have failed to deliver for Durham. They are now suggesting police forces may have to merge in order to prevent further cuts. Mergers are not the answer - more funding for our police force is the answer."

Carol singled out Durham's Labour MP for her failure to speak out against the cuts.

Carol said, "Our MP's record on this is truly shameful. Every year since she became MP the number of police officers in Durham has been cut. How many times has she criticised the Government for this? None. How many times has she raised these cuts in the House of Commons? None. She has, once again, completely failed to stand up for Durham.

"While other places get more police, we get fewer. And our MP does nothing about it and says nothing about it. I would like to know how she can defend her record of silence on this when we have such large cuts on her watch.

"My long running campaign to end these cuts and to get more police on our streets will continue. Along with the vast majority of people I speak to, this is a key issue. I am disappointed that our MP does not appear to agree."