What about us, police blast (despite getting £160million)

POLICE leaders accused the Government of holding them in ‘contempt’ last night despite receiving a further £160million to fight terrorism.

Representatives of frontline officers were ‘angry and disappointed’ as they accused the Chancellor of putting ‘potholes’ in England and Wales ahead of public safety.

They had called for more cash as they battle a surge in violent crime and increasingly complex inquiries.

Outlining his spending plans, Phillip Hammond said the extra counter-terrorism funding will be available in the next financial year. He said: ‘I recognise that policing more generally is under pressure from the changing nature of crime.’ The Chancellor hinted police budgets could face a further shake-up in their funding settlement in December.

But John Apter, of the Police Federation, led the criticism, saying: ‘This is just another example of the contempt in which the Government holds police officers.

‘What does it say when a Government prioritises potholes over policing?

‘We welcome the investment in counterterrorism capability but given the threat level this country is facing it is a necessity dressed up a gift – and the very minimum which is required with more than 700 live counter-terrorism investigations.’

Police numbers south of the Border have fallen by 21,000 since 2010, prompting warnings from chief constables about the service they can provide.