Labour proposals welcome but no substitute for long-term funding settlement

PFEW Chair welcomes neighbourhood policing plan and proposals to increase number of Specials but warns no-one should expect policing for free

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has welcomed Labour’s pledge to ‘bring back neighbourhood policing’ but warned the Party’s vision for police hubs is no substitute for a long-term funding settlement.

National Chair John Apter has reacted to news that Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds would announce the proposals during a speech on Tuesday in Brighton – along with plans for a major recruitment drive to increase the number of Special Constables.

John said: “It is important that policing is spoken about at party conferences because nothing is more important than the safety and security of the public.

“During the years of austerity, policing had to make many tough decisions. One of these was to reduce neighbourhood policing across many parts of the country.

“While I welcome Labour’s pledge to bolster neighbourhood policing, we must also remember there are other parts of policing which are every bit as critical. These help to ensure public safety and include response policing, investigations, CID, specialist departments, and back-office functions.

“The Special Constabulary is an integral part of policing, and it is important that Specials are properly supported. However, no-one should expect policing for free.

“Alongside an increase in the number of Special Constables, we also need to see an increase in the number of regular officers. Therefore we need a proper long-term funding settlement which gives policing the resources it so desperately needs.”

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary will also set out plans for a new child exploitation register and proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour.