Policing in the 21st Century

Chris Williamson Excerpts

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that positive suggestion, which I am happy to consider.

[Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab)]

Did the Tory party not claim to be the party of law and order in the past? Is the Home Secretary not embarrassed to be the first Tory Home Secretary to set out to undermine the police with the proposed cuts? Does she agree that gimmicks are no substitute for substance?

[Mrs May]

The police have been undermined by the way in which Whitehall has set them targets, and by having to look constantly to Whitehall in relation to what they do. Instead, they should respond to the needs of people in their local area. We are strengthening the ability of police to fight crime, slashing bureaucracy and enabling police officers to get out on to the streets, where the public want to see them.