Abrahams worried by police numbers

MP Debbie Abrahams

AN OLDHAM MP has warned that police officer cuts are 'leaving our communities exposed', after figures revealed an increase in violent crime.

Police-recorded crime has risen by 10 per cent across England and Wales - the largest annual rise for a decade - according to official statistics.

The latest crime figures for the 12 months to March also show an 18 per cent rise in violent crime, including a 20 per cent surge in gun and knife crime.

The figures come as Home Office figures show a further fall of 924 in the past year in the number of police officers, to 123,142 in England and Wales - the fewest officers in England and Wales since 1985. Police numbers have fallen by 20,592 since 2010.

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: "Our police are at breaking point with crime on the rise across the UK. Yet the Government continue to force real terms cuts on our police service.

"Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has lost 2072 officers, or 35 per cent of officers, since 2010. That's the second highest loss of the 43 police services across England and Wales, and the rise in crime demonstrates that the Tories are leaving our communities exposed.

"People in Oldham want to see the local police given the resources and the officers they need.

"This is the grim legacy of seven years of Tory austerity. Dedicated police officers fighting hard to keep the public safe with fewer officers per head.

"Labour will recruit another 10,000 new police officers to help keep us safe.

"Despite promising to protect budgets, the Tories continue to cut funding even as a senior figures in policing line up to warn they are overstretched."