Home Secretary Amber Rudd hits out at police calling for money while crime surges
The Home Secretary has told police leaders to focus on cutting crime instead of lobbying the Government for more money.
Amber Rudd said decisions about funding needed to be based on 'evidence, not assertion'.
She called on police and crime commissioners (PCCs) to tell residents how they will make them safer, rather than calling for extra cash.
"So when crime stats go up, I don't just want to see you reaching for a pen to write a press release asking for more money from the Government," she said.
"I want you to tell your local communities and the victims in your area what your plan is to make them safer."
Her comments were criticised by Labour West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "Amber Rudd’s outburst is truly incredible. Crime is rising and police force budgets are down.
"The Home Secretary is ignoring the evidence from Chief Constables working on the frontline to protect people.
"We are doing all we can to keep our streets safe, but it is much harder with dwindling budgets and fewer officers."
