Crime in the North West rises 22% as police numbers drop.



New crime figures released today show an increase in recorded crime in the North West that is above the national average. This comes against the backdrop of falling police numbers.

· Police numbers have dropped by 20% in the North West since 2010.

· Violent crime has increased 31% in the North West, reaching a high of 46% increase in Greater Manchester.

· Public order offences in Cheshire have increased by 231%.

Labour will recruit more police to ensure our streets are safe and tackle rising crime.

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on today’s ONS crime statistics, said:

“The Tories can no longer hide behind claims that crime is falling to justify their severe cuts to the police.

“They have left our communities exposed, with police numbers the lowest on record at a time when forces are under unprecedented pressure from surging crime, an ongoing terror threat, and from covering for cuts to other services.

“Labour will recruit 10,000 new police officers to restore neighbourhood policing and tackle rising crime.”