The Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, Jenny Willott has released figures which show that South Wales Police is the most consistently underfunded police force in the UK.
The figures uncovered in a Parliamentary Question from Miss Willott, show central government funding for each police force since 2000 and reveal that:
· South Wales Police received just £97.25m in 2008-09 in central funding.
· This is an increase of just £13m (or 15%) since 2000, the smallest increase of any police force.
· The average police force grant has seen an increase of 37% over this period.
· A 37% increase for SWP would see its Central Government funding rise to £115.5m; £18.2m more than today.
Commenting, Jenny said:
“This is a shocking set of figures and underlines just how unfairly this Government is treating South Wales Police.
“South Wales Police is by far and away the most consistently underfunded force in the country. If they had received the average funding increase since 2000, South Wales Police would be receiving over £18m more today than it actually is.
“The funding shortfall is compounded by the Government’s decision to reallocate police grant funding meant for South Wales to other Welsh forces, instead of giving them a proper central allocation too.
“Systematically short-changing any police force is a deeply irresponsible gamble with crime and public safety. The people of South Wales deserve to have properly resourced police force fit for the 21st century.”
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Having observed a SWP briefing in Neath this morning and noted how stretched the police can be as a result of an unforeseen incident, I would support Jenny’s call for the bizarre reallocation process to be ended.
Might I suggest a cull of PCSO’s, a total waste of time and money.
Plus a google of that particular branch of the police produces many court cases where the wrong people have been arrested an damages paid out.