Vital cross-border work ‘at risk if UK crashes out’

CRUCIAL ELEMENTS of crossborder police work could be badly damaged if the UK’s current Brexit chaos results in the country crashing out of the European Union without a deal, one of Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioners has warned.

Dr Alan Billings, the PCC for South Yorkshire, has also raised concerns about delays in Home Secretary Sajid Javid announcing funding levels for police during the next financial year, also delayed as a result of increasing problems around Brexit.

During the life of the EU, a network of agreements have been forged between police and security agencies, resulting in close links for tackling issues including organised crime and terrorism.

Dr Billings said: “I think there are serious issues which would need to be addressed incredibly quickly.

“As I understand it, Mrs May’s agreement includes a comprehensive security arrangement.

“It enables most of this to carry on, even if we are not at the table where all the rules are being made. Crime is increasingly international, terrorism likewise.

“In my view these agreements significantly tips the balance for law and order, against organised criminality and terrorism.”

Meanwhile, Scotland needs up to 900 more police officers to cope with Brexit, border policing and public order, the Scottish Police Federation has said.