Home secretary Sajid Javid calls for extra police funds to tackle knife crime

2180
Javid may
Javid: government must give police more resources to tackle knife crime

Theresa May insists police cuts have ‘no direct correlation’ to knife crime

Vs

Javid: government must give police more resources to tackle knife crime

Sajid Javid has said the government must listen to police chiefs’ demand for more resources after they asked the home secretary for emergency cash to fund an immediate rise in the number of officers in England to tackle knife crime.

Javid met chief constables from seven of the areas worst affected by knife crime on Wednesday to discuss solutions to the problem, which has been described as a national emergency.

No immediate money from government was forthcoming but chiefs will prepare a bid for how much money they need to fund the extra resource, which would be met by existing officers working overtime.

Javid is believed to have clashed with the chancellor and the prime minister over his demands for more cash at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting but, speaking after Wednesday’s talks, he maintained his belief that it is an essential component of the government’s response to the crisis.

“I think police resources are very important to deal with this,” he said. “We’ve got to do everything we can. I’m absolutely committed to working with the police in doing this. We have to listen to them when they talk about resources.”

The prime minister claimed on Monday there was “no direct correlation” between rising crime and police cuts but backtracked after colleagues failed to back her up, and the Metropolitan police chief, Cressida Dick, joined other senior officers in asserting that there is a link. READ MORE

Jeremy Corbyn as said:

“Young people shouldn’t pay the price for austerity with their lives.

 

Support Labour Heartlands
WAIT! BEFORE YOU GO

PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE

This is a "Pay as You Feel" website.

Your support for Labour Heartlands is greatly appreciated. As an independent nonprofit news outlet, we rely on our members to hold the powerful accountable. Our kind of reporting is essential to democracy, but it is not easy, cheap, or profitable.

To continue providing impactful journalism, we need your help. It's getting really hard for us all. Becoming one of our donors. It's simple and doesn't have to cost a lot. With as little as £2, £3, or £5 a month, you can support the journalism you rely on.

While we do not align ourselves with any particular political party, we stand firmly against corruption, injustice, and the erosion of truth and the rule of law. We believe that accurate information is the lifeblood of a democracy and that facts are not up for debate.

Your contribution, no matter how small, goes a long way in helping us continue our mission. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you, The Labour Heartlands Team

PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE