CALL TO END THREAT TO DERBYSHIRE POLICE

Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield and almost every other Derbyshire MP (Labour and Conservative), accompanied Derbyshire Police Authority today to lobby Ministers over the Government threat to 'Cap' the Police Authority.

Paul said

"The facts are very simple:

• Derbyshire police are the fourth worst funded in the country.

• They have 300 less police officers and 80 less PCSO's than equivalent Police Authorities.

• They are, by the Government's own admission, under funded by £5Million per year.

• They are -according to Government Inspectors - a highly efficient Force who have already made £40 Million of efficiency savings.

"The Government has repeatedly refused point blank to give Derbyshire Police the extra £5Million per year that they need to meet their policing needs. After extensive consultation with Derbyshire residents the Police Authority proposed an 8.68% increase in the Police Precept on the Council Tax. [ 6p per week on a Band A house which make up 42% of Derbyshire houses/ 9p per week on a Band D house].

"This increase is a 'standstill budget' which does not allow for improvement in police services but prevents cuts. If the Government do 'cap' the increase -down to 5% for example - then 60 police officers will be lost from an already undermanned police force. No one in Derbyshire wants this to happen -they actually want MORE police on the beat, NOT LESS.

"The Local Government Minister (John Healey) and the Police Minister (Vernon Coaker) listened very carefully to our arguments. Now there is an agonising wait to see whether or not they will force cuts in our already undermanned police force. All Derbyshire MP's, of all 3 political parties argued that the Government must not do this"