MP's share disappointment in local police backing from Government
Chancellor Rachel Reeves did increase local police funding, but local MP's say it's not enough to give us the Police service we deserve
Wiltshire MP's have told us of their frustration that local police funding hasn't been addressed enough by Government.
A 2.3% increase to cash for local policing was announced during Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spending Review last week.
In April, six Wiltshire MPs from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats signed a letter to Government calling for fairer police funding.
Chippenham's Sarah Gibson and South West Wiltshire's Andrew Murrison say they're disappointed more hasn't been done.
Mrs Gibson said the Chancellor's announcement fell "woefully short" in addressing the policing funding crisis at Wiltshire Police.
Despite the amount we pay towards Policing through Council Tax, Chief Constable Catherine Roper is still being forced to find millions in cost saving measures.
"Without a serious commitment to policing, communities will be left to pay the price, while the Government offers little more than empty promises," Mrs Gibson said.
She's pledged to continue fighting for fairer funding:"People deserve to feel safe in their own communities—and that means real officers on the ground, not vague promises from Whitehall.”
Mr Murrison said only one view can be drawn from Labour's actions.
He said: "Wiltshire’s at the bottom of the police funding league table completely ignoring the cost of policing caused by our geography.
I have been challenging ministers on why they have it in for the South West. No other conclusion can be drawn from the Spending Review which has almost entirely overlooked our region."