Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Library briefing paper entitled Police Service Strength, published on 16 October 2018, if he will make an assessment of the effect on the level of crime of the 18 per cent reduction in the police workforce between 2010 and 2018.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales shows crime has reduced by more than a third since 2010, and has remained broadly stable over recent months. However, we recognise the changing and increasing demand on the police, particularly in areas of low-volume high-harm crime like serious violence. We responded by increasing police funding by £460 million in 2018/19, including £280 million from council tax precept. The police workforce statistics released on 24 January show the first year on year increase in police officer numbers in a decade, indicating that Police and Crime Commissioners have been able to protect the front line.

For 2019/20, we have proposed a settlement that will see overall funding for the policing system increase by up to £970 million, including council tax precept. Many PCCs are consulting on plans to use this flexibility for significant police officer recruitment.