As part of the Home Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into policing, Bridget invited the Chair of the Committee, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, to Houghton & Sunderland South to meet with local officers and residents. Bridget and Mr Vaz listened to how officers work with the community to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and asked for their ideas on what further measures can be taken. The Committee will consider the ideas as part of its inquiry.

Afterwards, Bridget took Mr Vaz on a walkabout in Houghton to meet with residents and to see the benefits of Sunderland’s community policing and its importance to local people. Bridget is determined to fight hard to protect local police from the coalition government’s cuts which could see a reduction in the number of officers on the streets. Bridget said:

“I am delighted to welcome Mr Vaz to Houghton & Sunderland South to show him the excellent community policing we have in the area. I believe lessons can be learned from the way in which officers engage with the local people to fight against crime and anti-social behaviour together.”

She added: “I know that local people really value the work of the police and I will fight to protect our officers from the coalition government’s cuts.”