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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Assembly Government must take blame for police funding crisis says Assembly Member
February 17, 2009 12:00 AM
Commenting on Chief Constable Barbara Wilding's comments about police funding, Peter Black, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Local Government Minister said:
"I am very concerned that the Chief Constable is proposing to stop responding to accidents and clearing debris on the M4, however it is not good enough for the Welsh Assembly Government to wash their hands of the matter altogether.
"Although policing is not devolved, the Chief Constable has a valid point when she says that her force is not receiving the sort of funding in Wales as it would if it were an English force. The English Highways Agency pay extra for the policing of motorways but the Welsh Assembly Government does not follow suit.
"It is also difficult to see how the Minister can pass the blame for under-funding to the Home Office. He cannot have it both ways. Policing may not be his responsibility but in Wales Police Authorities face a more stringent capping criteria than those in England. Thus the 9.8% Council Tax increase proposed by South Wales Police Authority would be acceptable in England but will be capped here in Wales.
"The fact is that both the Home Office and the Assembly Government are underfunding our local police forces. The consequence of that will be less police on our streets, more dangerous roads and the possible cancellation of money-spinning major events. That is unacceptable. The Government must meet the Chief Constable halfway so as to resolve this funding crisis.
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