“Deeply troubling” ONS stats were revealed today that once again confirmed the more police officers you cut the more crime you will see on our streets.
Police recorded 732 homicides in England and Wales last year, the highest total in a decade, according to official new figures.
It comes as the number of offences involving knives or sharp instruments increased by 6 per cent in 2018 compared to the previous 12 months.
Louise Haigh MP called the new figures “chilling” in a tweet sent out shortly after the figures were revealed.
She said: “The savage cuts to the police have to rank as one of the most shameful decisions of this rotten government”, and it’s hard to disagree.
Since 2010 the number of police officers has fallen by somewhere between 19,000 and 22,000, which means that not only are there fewer bobby’s on the beat but there’s no longer the manpower to investigate crimes.
Manchester’s Chief Constable has admitted that more than 40 per cent of crimes reported to Greater Manchester Police are not fully investigated because of a lack of resources.
Ian Hopkins said budget cuts have meant officers had to prioritise more ruthlessly than ever, which means 430 offences a day, such as thefts from vehicles, were being “screened out” are not pursued because they “don’t have enough officers”.
Last year Jeremy Corbyn went head to head with Theresa May in the Commons, asking the PM whether she “regretted cutting 21,000 police officers?” But as Diane Abbott said today, the message seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
She said: “Once again, these are deeply troubling crime figures under this government.
“Members of the public and police officers are both increasingly concerned about the growth of serious crime including knife crime.
“The government is failing in one of its most basic duties, to protect its own citizens. These reckless cuts must end.”