Violent crime up in Croydon as Tories plan further police cuts

Steve Reed has condemned Tory plans to impose further policing cuts as it emerged that violent crime in Croydon has risen 36% in a year.

Metropolitan Police crime figures show that there were 2,342 more incidents of violence against a person than the year previously.

David Cameron broke his promise to protect the frontline. 1,700 police officers have been cut from the Met since 2010, leaving fewer police on Croydon’s streets, while there are 76% fewer PCSOs in Croydon since Cameron became Prime Minister. The Tories have closed every police station in Croydon North and cut police numbers despite the area being hit hard by the riots in 2011. 

Tory plans for extreme spending cuts after the election mean an even deeper cut to the police, putting neighbourhood policing at risk. Labour will invest in frontline policing and restore a visible neighbourhood police presence.

Steve Reed said: “This troubling rise in violent crime shows that the Tory cuts to police have consequences. With the Tories’ extreme spending plans for after the election, it is now clear that only a Labour government will protect our police.

“Labour will keep our streets safe by abolishing the unpopular Police and Crime Commissioners and use the savings to invest in frontline and neighbourhood policing instead.”