‘Poor’ police funding criticised by city MP
AN MP has criticised how police are funded.
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said: ‘We have one the most poorly funded local police forces in the country and any increase in funding should be coming from central government, yet it expects local residents to foot the bill.
‘This proposal is more of the same “pay more, get less” approach from this Tory government and it should not be passing the buck onto many that are already struggling financially in our city.’
Police representatives have backed the hike. In a letter to crime commissioner Michael Lane, Zoe Wakefield, Hampshire Police Federation chair, said: 'As a Hampshire resident, like the vast majority of my colleagues, an increase in council tax is not something I am keen on but understand the need to ensure the force has sufficient funding to protect the most vulnerable in society, reduce and detect crime and look after our officers and staff.'
She said government funding 'is not fair' but would not change in the short term.
Detective Superintendent Jo Smith, Police Superintendents Association, Hampshire branch chair added: ‘I believe this is imperative to support the officers and staff of Hampshire Constabulary continuing to protect our communities.’
Officer and staff wellbeing programmes will also be funded by the cash raised.
The force's wellbeing programme last year cut 6,000 sickness days between officers and staff, the equivalent of 30 full time workers.
The proposal for the precept will be taken to a meeting next Friday. Mr Lane added: ‘This is a time of exceptional change and uncertainty.’