Cooper: No good without police
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, comments on the publication of crime maps:
“We welcome the extension of crime mapping introduced before the election, including measures that were included in Labour’s policing pledge.
“But to deliver accountability, the maps should also include police strength for forces across the UK. Knowing where crime takes place isn’t enough if there aren’t sufficient police to deal with it.
“People want to know what effect the Tory-led government’s deep and rapid cuts to the police are going to have on their area.
“Already since the general election we have lost around two thousand police officers, and with 20% cuts to police budgets, this is only the thin end of the wedge.
“Accountability is an important and key part of neighbourhood policing, which is why Labour began crime mapping and monthly beat meetings. But we also need government accountability on the resources police have available.”
