United opposition to police cuts

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

From the Office of the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition

Date: 8 December 2015

Contact:

County Councillor Mike Mackrory

Telephone: 01245 362047

07780 604484

County Councillor David Kendall

Telephone: 01277 824546

07768 667824

United Opposition to Conservative Police Cuts

At today's Essex County Council meeting Essex Conservatives supported the Conservative

Police and Crime Commissioner's [PCC] cuts to Essex Police. The Liberal Democrat motion

opposing these cuts was supported by all the opposition parties.

The cuts include -

• cutting the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from 250 to

about 60;

• the closure of 15 police stations and
• the withdrawal from dealing with low level anti-social behaviour

and are a major concern. And this is at a time when crimes against the person are up 18%

and sexual crime is up 35%.

Cllr Mike Mackrory, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said after the debate:

"Essex Police will become ever more remote from the community if the PCC forces

through his proposals. We were amazed to see the Conservative candidate for next

year's PCC elections vote against protecting the police service."

Ends