MP warns that community policing is 'at risk' from police cuts

Plans to reduce the number of police officers in Cumbria by 30 have led South Lakes MP Tim Farron to warn that the county's community policing strategy is at risk.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"Cumbria has won awards for its neighbourhood policing policy - this means that villages, towns and estates have their own designated officer. But the cuts in the Cumbria Police Authority budget mean that it may be impossible for the police to provide enough officers to do this.

"Its vital that we have enough police officers and that they are a visible presence in our communities to protect local people from crime. The cuts proposed for this year put our communities at risk and that is unacceptable".

"The police authority has to save £9.1million from its budget in the next 3 years due to cuts in central government funding. Cutting money from policing will not save the taxpayer a penny. It will lead to higher crime levels which will cost us all a lot more" added Tim