May failed us.. and won’t face up to it

THERE is no hiding place for Theresa May.

For six years, while she was in charge of the nation’s security as Home Secretary, she reduced police numbers.

She cut them by 20,000. Rank-and-file officers warned her about the effect that was having on community policing, the first tripwire of defence against terrorist extremists.

May accused them of “crying wolf ” and urged reform, which was carried out.

That left the police, as they demonstrated in central London on Saturday night, as a brilliant reactive force. They ended a major terrorist incident within eight minutes.

But the eyes and ears of law and order, the community officer, the bobby on the beat, has been lost – on May’s watch.

That has left huge gaps in police intelligence, and scant links to the communities these extremist losers hide themselves in.

May has tried to dodge questions about her record by pointing the finger at Jeremy Corbyn, dredging up disputed old quotes from the Labour leader about whether police should “shoot to kill” when facing terrorists.

She knows full well she is misrepresenting Corbyn’s views. She must also know he has tapped into a deep public anger about a Tory agenda which finds cash to cut corporation tax but not to pay for police to keep us safe.

Let’s be clear. The real issue here is May’s record as Home Secretary. She presided over cuts that lost the country 20,000 police officers, the most visible symbol of safety and security in an uncertain world.

It is a failure. If there wasn’t for the fact there is an election in two days time, she would surely have to consider her position.

Voters will judge her on Thursday.