MP warns cuts will make streets less safe

10.12.14am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 3rd Sep 2007

Whitehall cuts to Stockport's crime-fighting budget will simply help criminals, according to local MP Andrew Stunell. Over £100,000 that should have be used for tackling drug crime and anti-social behaviour has been withdrawn from this year's Safer and Stronger Communities budget by the Home Office. The 25% cut comes a quarter of the way through the year, and threatens to undo work on making the town safer.

Commenting on the cuts, the MP for Hazel Grove said:

"In contrast to the rest of Greater Manchester, Stockport's crime rate has been kept down by the hard work of the Council working with the Police and other agencies. Cutting over £100,000 from the budget undermines vital services like the Anti-social behaviour team and the Drugs Action Team.

"Reducing this funding takes the power away from local communities to address the problems that they face. Labour claim to be tough on the causes of crime, but a cut to the town's Safer and Stronger Communities budget shows they are all talk and no action."

Mr Stunell says the cut-back, on top of a reduction in Police numbers locally this year, comes at a time when residents want reassurance following high profile robberies in the area. He has written to the Home Secretary calling for an urgent rethink.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Last year the crime rate in Stockport fell by 3%, exceeding the national reduction of 2%. In contrast to the rise in crime of 1% across Greater Manchester.

2. Possible cuts include:

• Overtime budget for Rangers - this will reduce capacity to deploy staff outside their normal locations on an overtime basis to assist in hot spot areas.

• Removal of overtime from the Anti Social Behaviour Team - this will reduce capacity for weekend work.

• Non-filling of a Drugs Action Team post.

• Salary reductions for domestic violence coordinator - this will be offset by the removal of overtime of Rangers.

• Review of racial harassment hotline.

• £20k cut off the waste performance grant.

• Cuts in the revenue budget for Lancashire Hill, Adswood and Brinnington Neighbourhood Renewal.