Tories cutting police too far, too fast

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh hit back at David Cameron's claim that the government is only cutting West Yorkshire Police's budget by 8% on 22 August. In fact the government's own figures show a 20% cut - £101m out of West Yorkshire's current £438m budget.

In an interview with the Yorkshire Post the Prime Minister suggested the cash cut would not affect frontline services. But West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that over 1500 police posts will be axed as a result of the 20% cut.

Mary said “David Cameron is cutting police too far, too fast. His 8% figure is the cash cut not the real terms cut . The Government’s own published figures show a 20% real terms cut in the central government grant to police authorities. This will result in more than 1500 police posts being axed in West Yorkshire alone. Crime fell by 43 per cent under Labour, and Wakefield has the lowest crime rate in West Yorkshire, but these cuts will put that progress at risk. This is an attack on frontline policing and the government should think again."

Mary is supporting Labour leader Ed Miliband's plan to force a Commons debate on the government's cuts to police numbers, either through an Opposition Day Motion or by an online petition.

Sign up to Labour's campaign to stop the 20% police cuts here