Farron anger at proposed police force cuts

2.09.33pm GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron has tabled a parliamentary motion protesting against the recent proposals that police numbers are to be cut in Cumbria. Mr Farron has received information from the Cumbria Police Federation that because of a reduction in funding from the government sworn police officers will be replaced with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Mr Farron has also tabled a parliamentary question to the Home Secretary asking for an assessment of the situation in Cumbria.

Tim Farron said:

"I am extremely concerned at these proposals, it would seem the Chief Constable's budget is being tightly squeezed and the safety of the public could ultimately be compromised.

"I recognise that Community Support Officers do extremely valuable work, and I have praised them for this in my EDM, but I do not believe they should be recruited in place of full time police officers.

"The safety of the public has to be the primary concern for the police, and it would seem that the government is prepared to compromise on this issue by restricting funding to the police force."