Liberal Democrats Relaunch Police Cuts Petition (Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats)

Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats <info@saffronwaldenlibdems.org.uk>

Liberal Democrats Relaunch Police Cuts Petition

December 7, 2011 10:02 PM

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats have relaunched their petition against police cuts in Essex, which they have been running since September. You can sign online at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/essexpolicecuts.

Essex Police are looking at reducing the number of frontline officers by 388 - 12% of the total officers in Essex, as well as cutting 100 PSCOs. Front-desk opening hours at 16 police stations, including Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow have been slashed. 20 more, including Stansted, have seen their front desk closed completely. The future looks bleak for 21 stations, like Stansted, which are likely to be closed altogether.

The Liberal Democrats want Essex Police to think again. Stansted Lib Dem councillor Alan Dean said "These cuts have already closed Stansted police station's front desk and drastically slashed the hours at Saffron Walden and Dunmow. This is hardly prioritising neighbourhood policing. Stansted's police officers should be based in Stansted"

His Stansted colleague Cllr. Iris Evans added "Cambridgeshire Police are cutting back-office staff and sharing services with other police forces to protect front-line services, an approach that has this year allowed them to recruit a new intake of officers. The Lib Dems want Essex to do the same."

Saffron Walden Lib Dem councillor Mike Hibbs said "We are not alone in believing that Essex Police should not be cutting vital front-line services. People were queuing up to sign our petition in Saffron Walden Market Place on Saturday (3^rd December). We will be in Stansted during the week and are coming to Dunmow this Saturday morning (10^th December). If we miss you, you can join the hundreds of other residents who have already signed and sign online at www.ourcampaign.org.uk/essexpolicecuts".