‘Investment in policing needed to keep us safe’

THE CHAIRMAN of West Yorkshire’s Police Federation has called for more investment in equipment, training and manpower to protect officers and the public.

Nick Smart spoke out after a survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of police and public in the county backed greater use of Taser electro-shock weapons.

Two-thirds of West Yorkshire Police officers want to remain unarmed, but contrary to a report in The Yorkshire Post yesterday, a majority of the members of the public who were surveyed disagreed.

Asked if they thought the police should remain primarily unarmed, 34 per cent said yes and 64 per cent said no.

Mr Smart said: “We police by consent and the fact that the vast majority of the public believe that officers should routinely carry a Taser is important to note. Our survey also indicates that the public are open to an increased armed policing presence on our streets.

“If this makes the public safer, and feel safer, then this reinvestment in policing needs to be done.

“However be under no illusions - this will all require significant investment in equipment, training and increasing police officer numbers.

“There is no other option for politicians – keeping the public safe costs money. They need to listen. At the end of the day we must protect the public.”