Shropshire MP claims police cuts risk public safety

A Shropshire MP has claimed public safety will be put at risk by police budget cuts.

David Wright, Labour MP for Telford, said he was concerned about a potential fall in the number of front line officers at West Mercia Police.

He was speaking during a special House of Commons debate about police cuts on Tuesday.

Last week Home Office figures revealed the number of police officers in West Mercia fell by 142 in 12 months.

The force defended the fall claiming it was part of its "efficiency plan" but Mr Wright has criticised the reduction.

'Big risk'

The Home Office has previously said police forces had to make "necessary savings".

But it said "protecting the front line and prioritising visibility and availability of policing" had to be maintained.

Mr Wright said he wanted to maintain the service people get in Telford now.

Speaking during the debate he said: "Crime has been falling and a range of local initiatives are producing results."

But he added the government was taking a "big risk" with public safety by cutting force spending.

He said: "The cuts could undermine the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour that we have been successfully waging in towns such as Telford."