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General Election 2015: Over 10,000 police jobs would be protected from cuts, Labour says

The party claims that Conservative spending cuts could lead to the loss of between 15,000 and 20,000 police officer posts in England and Wales by 2020

Nigel Morris
Thursday 09 April 2015 19:35 EDT
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The party would also introduce legislation requiring all Chief Constables to provide neighbourhood policing
The party would also introduce legislation requiring all Chief Constables to provide neighbourhood policing (Getty Images)

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More than 10,000 police jobs would be protected from cuts under a £800m scheme to be set out by Labour.

The party claims that Conservative spending cuts could lead to the loss of between 15,000 and 20,000 police officer posts in England and Wales by 2020.

Launching its crime and justice manifesto, it will set out plans for £800m of efficiency savings over the next three years which would be used to pay for frontline officers.

The money will be found by pooling backroom services between forces, joint procurement of equipment and scrapping Police and Crime Commissioners.

The party would also introduce legislation requiring all Chief Constables to provide neighbourhood policing.

The shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Under the Tories we have seen fewer police on the beat, longer waits for 999 calls and less justice for victims as there have been fewer arrests and prosecutions for rising crimes like violence, rape or child sex offences. Now they plan deeper cuts to policing in the next Parliament.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, responded: “These are the same tired, unfunded promises from a Labour Party who tied up the police with red tape and central targets, and who have opposed everything we have done to help the police do more with less.”


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