Police cuts 'a complete fiasco'

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Oct 2006

Labour are cutting the number of police officers in Northampton

Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Northampton North Cllr Andrew Simpson has called the news that Northamptonshire Police Authority are to cut 42 positions to save money 'a complete fiasco'.

"This flies in the face of Labour's claim to be 'tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime'" Andrew Simpson said.

"One day we are told they are investing in more police to provide neighbourhood policing the next day they are announcing cuts. It's a complete fiasco"

A spokesperson for the Police authority today announced that 42 officers would be cut to address a funding shortfall in 2007/08.

"Northamptonshire is traditionally under funded when it comes to policing and this Government has got to wake up and recognise our position as a growing area and make sure that our Police are properly funded. We seemed to be on a rollercoaster with figures up one year and down the next. We need stability in funding".

To find out about Lib Dem policy on crime and justice visit: http://www.libdems.org.uk/index_justice.html