Figures released today show that violent crime in the North West has increased by 36 per cent, higher than anywhere else in the country. Possession of weapons rose by 51 per cent since 2010 at the same time as we have lost nearly 4000 officers across the region and nearly a third of our PCSOs.

The average increase in violent crime nationally is 19 per cent and the North West is the region with the highest increase.

The government continue to deny a link between police numbers and the increase in serious crime but the statistics, in comparison with 2010 numbers, speak for themselves:
· Merseyside public order offences are up 41 per cent
· In Greater Manchester robbery is up 48 per cent
· Lancashire has seen a 98 per cent increase in public order offences
· Violent crime is up 46 per cent in Cheshire

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on the publication this morning of ONS crime and policing figures, said: “With violent crime increasing in the North West and detection rates falling so fast, it's clear the police desperately need our support.

“But this Tory Government has broken its promise to protect funding, with police funding cut in real terms and fewer police officers on our streets.

“While the Government continues to deny any link between the rise in serious crime and the cuts to police officer numbers, today we see what an appalling and traumatic impact Theresa May’s decisions have had on our society.

“This is a shameful day for the Prime Minister. The next Labour government will bring back 10,000 police officers to tackle rising crime.”

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Is there any connection with the large number of immigrants sent to the North West and the increase in crime rates?