Lib Dems reveal extent of ‘criminal’ Tory police cuts

Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, published this week, has revealed that the Conservative Government cut funding to Kent Police by 6% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

According to Liberal Democrat analysis, total government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20. 32 of the 43 forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

"Across the country, we are seeing rising crime and falling police. Far too many people now feel unsafe walking down their own streets.

"Taking 5,000 police off our streets in the last four years and cutting funding in real-terms by £490 million from 2015-16 to 2019-20 are big Tory crimes."

Tim Prater, Leader of the Lib Dems on Folkestone and Hythe District Council, added:

"Inflicting 6% cuts on our local police force over the last four years, given concerns about knife crime, shows just how out of touch the Tories are.

"The Liberal Democrats demand better. We will give police forces the resources they need to recruit more officers and restore community policing, so that we can make our streets safer and make people feel safer too."