MPs go on patrol with frontline police

LANCASHIRE MPs are to go out on patrol with frontline officers to see first hand the abuse and aggression they face.

Following the recent stabbing of a Lancashire police officer, as well as a number of high profile Parliamentary debates on police safety, Lancashire Police Federation is arranging the patrols to show MPs “the level of violence officers are faced with”.

An unnamed officer was carrying out a routine check on a vehicle near Blackpool on the morning of Wednesday, November 2, when he was attacked, suffering knife injuries to his body and face.

The officer is now recovering well at home and is being supported by colleagues.

Lancashire Police Federation chairman Rachel Baines said: “That incident just goes to show it doesn’t matter whether MPs come out on a Tuesday morning or a Friday night to see the level of violence that our officers are faced with.

“I wrote to all our MPs and we’ve had some really positive responses. All of those replying want to meet up with some police officers and some have elected to go out and patrol with them.

“It is important that they see the amount of commitments that we have and the other demands that are being placed on us.

“It’s important that they can see the scale of that. I’m absolutely sure they will understand the pressures that officers are under.”

Lancashire Police has lost more than 900 officers since the cuts began in 2010 and those officers left behind are under immense pressure, Mrs Baines added.

She said: “Once MPs can see the demands that the police face, we are hoping they’ll be more sympathetic to our case when it comes to budgets and funding.”