Welsh Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Newport West, Ruth Jones has challenged the Newport Conservatives to support her calls to reverse cuts to local police budgets.

Since 2010, police forces across the UK have seen 21,000 police officers cut by the UK Conservative Government. Locally, Gwent Police has seen its budget reduced by £28m and has lost 108 officers.

In an effort ease the pressure caused by UK government cuts, the Welsh Labour Government has funded 500 community support officers across Wales. However, the responsibility for policing remains with Theresa May and Conservative Ministers in London.

On Monday (4 March) Labour’s Ruth Jones met with Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert and officers at Newport Central Police Station for a non-partisan briefing on crime and safety in Newport.

After the meeting, she reiterated her support for Labour’s plans to recruit 10,000 more police officers if it wins the next General Election.

Ruth Jones, Welsh Labour Candidate for Newport West said:

“It’s time for the Tories to stop piling pressure on the police and give them the funding they need to prevent crime and ensure community safety.

 

I would hope that the Newport Conservatives feel as strongly as I do, that our local force needs to be well funded to deal with the demands of modern policing.

 

If they agree with that, then I invite them to join me in calling for Theresa May to reverse her cuts and put more Bobbies on the Beat.”