77% of local people have said they were either worried or very worried about changes to policing made by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, in the latest policing survey by Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson.

The government have already cut the Northumbria Police Force’s budget resulting in the loss of over 650 Police and Police Community Support Officers. Almost everyone who took part in the survey said they thought fewer police officers would lead to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Commenting on the results of her survey, Bridget said:

“The government is endangering local communities by cutting the numbers of police on the beat. It’s clear from the survey results local people recognise the dangers of the Tory-led government’s cuts, yet it’s remarkable that the government can’t recognise it themselves.

“It was the previously Labour government which recognised the importance of tackling crime by introducing Community Support Officers, the DNA database, greater use of CCTV and powers for local communities to tackle anti-social behaviour. It’s an approach, which saw a year on year reduction in crime.

“I believe the government should be empowering and protecting communities -; not gutting them. I will continue to pressure the Home Secretary to recognise that our police need the government’s support.”