Eddie has today criticised the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for failing to put extra resources into neighbourhood policing.
There are NO extra police officers budgeted for Willenhall, Bloxwich and Walsall North, despite the Police and Crime Commissioner putting up council tax by £12 a year because he is increasing back office staff costs by £10 million pounds and increasing his office costs by 28%!
Staffordshire are getting increased investment in neighbourhood policing from their Police and Crime Commissioner.
Eddie wrote to the Police Minister last year to ask for a £10 a year increase precept power to be given to West Midlands Police to boost neighbourhood policing. The Minister gave West Midlands Police £12 a year increase (above what was asked for), provided additional funding for anti terror policing to free up budgets - in total resulting in over £9 million in extra funding this year. The Police Commissoner also has £102 million in unspent cash reserves.
Claims that this is down to Government funding just doesn't hold up to scrutiny, this is a choice the PCC has made himself. It's written in black and white. Check out page 10 of his report here: http://westmidlandspcp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ITEM-6-PCC-Report-on-Policing-Precept-and-Budget-for-201819.pdf
Eddie will continue to fight for increased police resources on behalf of the people of Walsall North, Bloxwich and Willenhall.