Jack Dromey MP, Shadow Police Minister, said:
“The Tory Government have slashed funding to Bedfordshire Police, despite the fact that the force has to deal with some of the highest levels of serious crime, combined with the growing threat of terrorism in areas such as Luton.
“Tory cuts mean that Bedfordshire Police have lost 159 police officers in the past 5 years, a reduction of 13%. Police and Community Support Officers are also down by 10%.
“To make matters worse, Bedfordshire Police are taking on a real terms cut of over £1.5 million next year alone.
“The Tories have broken their promise to protect the police. I will continue to support PCC Olly Martins in his campaign for fair funding for Bedfordshire Police.
Olly Martins, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, said:
“I am proud of the good men and women of Bedfordshire Police Service, who do an outstanding job of protecting the public even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Bedfordshire has one of the lowest numbers of police officers per head of population of any force, yet it has to deal with some of the highest levels of high harm crime, like gun and knife crime.
I will not rest until we have the funding and police numbers that we need to keep the people of Bedfordshire safe.”