MPs unite in call for urgent police funding

Gloucestershire Constabulary is one of the most modestly funded police forces in England

Gloucestershire MPs have issued a joint call for urgent government support for the county's police force, which is facing a £12.3m funding shortfall.

In a meeting at the Home Office, led by Tewkesbury's Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas, they called on the Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, to pledge new investment.

The MPs said Gloucestershire Constabulary's funding gap risks undermining the force's ability to protect the public.

Forest of Dean MP and former police officer Matt Bishop said the show of cross-party unity was "a strong reminder that community safety must come first".

Mr Thomas urged the minister to help cover the gap, and highlighted the strain on small forces forced to upgrade IT and infrastructure without central government help.

"Upgrades to IT systems, vital for police to adapt to the changing nature of crime, have an outsized impact on smaller forces," he said.

He was joined by Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, Dr Roz Savage, in calling for a centralised procurement system that protects smaller forces from the costs.

Gloucester's Labour MP Alex McIntyre stressed the importance of modern technology.

He said: "As Chief Constable Blyth has made clear, it's essential that Gloucestershire Constabulary can access the most up-to-date technology, which will enable them to do the best job possible for the people in our county."

'Loud and clear'

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson, who also attended the meeting, said "I've been calling for years for a reform of police funding to make sure that Gloucestershire Constabulary have the tools they need to do the job.

"I'm very grateful for this unanimous cross-party support for our police to keep Gloucestershire safe. It sends a clear message and I look forward to continuing working alongside our MPs and the Home Office to bring in this much needed investment."

Minister Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged the united front, saying the message had been received "loud and clear".