Matt Gallagher

Matt Gallagher with Jeremy Browne, the new Lib Dem Minister for Crime Prevention

The news that crime in England and Wales continues to fall, and is down 6% overall this year, is testament to the hard work and dedication of our police and those agencies who lead the fight against crime.
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The Association of Chief Police Officers have said that the latest crime statistics show police are continuing to reduce crime and maintain public confidence.
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Liberal Democrat Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne welcomed the figures and said that the chances of becoming a victim of crime were now at their lowest since the crime survey began in 1981.
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“Chief constables are rising to the challenge of making efficiency savings and providing greater value for money. As Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary has said, ‘the front line is being protected’.
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“Police reform is working. We have swept away central targets and reduced police bureaucracy. This shows that how the police are deployed, rather than their absolute numbers, is what is key to cutting crime,” added Browne.
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Jeremy Browne is right to flag efforts at sweeping away police bureaucracy having contributed to freeing up police officers to fight crime. There is still more bureaucracy to be cut within the service and it will be up to the new Police and Crime Commissioners to work with the police and criminal justice system as a whole to cut bureaucracy further.
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Much police bureaucracy is imposed by outside bodies or Government. The Commissioner can use their mandate to press for change and get more bobbies back on the beat, where the public want them to be.
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