It's time to restore community policing
By Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people
Everyone has the right to feel safe where they live, and everyone who has been the victim of a crime deserves justice.
But for too long, this Conservative Government has been ignoring victims, failing the police and letting our communities down.
And that's why, last year, 1.8 million cases were closed without a suspect even being identified.
Even before the Covid pandemic, too many people felt unsafe in their own homes or walking down their own streets. In fact half of all people never even see police patrols in their local area.
Conservative Ministers like to talk tough on crime, but they have failed to do what works to actually keep people safe. Their unnecessary police cuts have contributed to a rise in serious violence.
Police need the officers, resources and time to focus on preventing and solving crimes.
Instead, the Tories want to waste police time chasing centralised Whitehall targets and carrying out pointless, suspicionless Stop and Search.
That's why today, the Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and known personally to local people.
We will do what works to build communities where people are safe and feel safe too.