On March 27, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary visited Penrith to speak to local farmer’s about the challenges facing them on rural crime, and in Carlisle visited Carlisle Villa Boxing Club to talk about how they’re helping keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.
She was joined by Labour’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, and the Party’s parliamentary candidates for Penrith and Solway and Carlisle, Markus Campbell-Savours and Julie Minns.
Following her visit, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Meeting farmers from Penrith I heard about their experience of vehicle and livestock theft which is damaging their businesses and making life harder. Across Cumbria there has been a drop of almost 80% in neighbourhood police since 2015.
"Over the last year we have seen an increase in drug offences in Carlisle by 49% and possession of weapons offences by 28%.
"Labour has a plan to put 13,000 neighbourhood police back on our streets and into our communities so that everyone has a named officer they can trust and who knows the issues they face."
David Allen, Labour’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for Cumbria said: "Labour has a plan to restore neighbourhood and community policing, which is what Cumbria desperately needs after years of austerity and cuts.
"I understand first-hand how rural crime affects farmers and their local communities and how to deal with it effectively. Removing police from these areas isn't the answer.
"I used to work the beat where Carlisle Villa is and remember it being built, clubs like this are essential in ensuring that young people are active, are diverted from criminality and have a purpose. Labour intends to set up a Young Futures scheme in all towns and groups like this will play a part in that approach.
"Cumbria has, like most rural communities, had disproportionately large cuts under the Tories. It has had 16 police stations closed, a 25% reduction in its civilian staffing and its PCSO numbers have been reduced from 111 to 60. The Conservative PFCC now has plans in place to take a further £16 million from the police budget by 2029, 12% of the total budget. This will have a devastating effect on policing in Cumbria.
"I intend to oppose that and have 30 years of law enforcement experience at a senior level to be able to do so. What Cumbria needs is more resources, not less."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel