It's 'not rocket science' that officer cuts will result in more crime, says Wiltshire Police Federation boss

5 March 2019

Swindon Advertiser

THE prime minister's claim there was no link between falling officer numbers and a rise in violent crime was labelled unbelievable.

Theresa May said there was “no direct correlation between certain crimes and police numbers”. “What matters is how we ensure that police are responding to these criminal acts when they take place, that people are brought to justice.”

Insp Mark Andrews, chairman of Wiltshire Police Federation, said it was "not rocket science" that if officers were cut, crime would go up.

"I think it's not rocket science that with 300 less police officers in Wiltshire you can do less."

Pointing to reduced community policing teams and fewer officer stop searching on the streets: "When you add all these things together you get an increase in crime."

The latest police statistics show a slight increase in violent crime in the county. There were 13,500 reports of violent crimes against individuals, including assaults, stalking and murder.

Council tax rises will mean extra police officers for Wiltshire this year. Angus Macpherson, police and crime commissioner, said in January: “This year I want to be able to allocate funding for a renewed focus on crime prevention using a range of tactics to target those who may commit crime in future."

Chair’s interview with BBC Wiltshire re how knife and violent crime directly relates to reduction in officers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p070vfzd 2hrs 35mins in.