Wirral MP blasts Government over Merseyside Police budget cuts

In a debate at Westminster on the police grant from central government, Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood spoke out on the impact of cuts on Merseyside police and the communities they serve.

She said Merseyside Police has seen a reduction in mumbers of around 1,000 under recent austerity measures.

The force relies on central government for 81% of its funding and has been "one of the hardest hit by government cuts."

Mrs Greenwood told MPs: “Merseyside Police is now facing a £21m shortfall in the money required to restore the 4,000 police officers that it needs.

“It has already seen its funding reduced by 15% since 2010, forcing it to make savings of £91m to balance the books.

“Merseyside has some of the most deprived boroughs in the country. This brings particular policing challenges. It also makes it harder to raise extra money through the precept locally.

“I understand that the severity of the cuts on Merseyside mean that the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable have been forced to consider closing police stations although no decision on particular stations has been made yet.

“I know from talking to officers just how hard they work. The reduction in funding is putting pressure on men and women who already do a dangerous job in the service of their local communities."

Ms Greenwood continued: “The visible presence of police in an area make a real difference to the sense of security that people and local businesses feel.

“The Home Secretary should think again and make sure that our police force gets the funding it needs.

"Enough is enough. Merseyside deserves better.”

By March next year the strength of Merseyside Police Force will have been reduced from 4,588 officers in 2010 to 3,580.

If cuts in funding continue, it estimates that by 2020 that will fall still further to 3,400 which would be 26% below the force’s strength in 2010-11.