Labour votes for fewer Police on Morley Streets

Labour backs reducing Police Officer numbers in Morley

Our proposal for an additional 22 Police Community Support Officers for outer areas in Leeds was voted down by Labour Councillors at Leeds City Councils Budget Meeting last Wednesday. Our proposal would see City Centre Parking Charges increased to cover more police community support officers on local streets.

We are disappointed that we did not get the backing of other councillors for increasing the number of PCSOs patrolling Morley’s Streets. It’s a double blow as the Leader of Leeds City Council also announced that they would reduce the number of PCSOs paid for by the Council for Morley from ten down to six. PCSOs have made a significant contribution to reducing crime levels in Morley and the reduction in their number is a step backwards.

The number of PCSOs is to be reduced in most outer areas in Leeds which is proving controversial as the Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed an underspend of £5 million on his staffing budget.

The PCC not only has a ring fenced budget and is increasing the precept all Morley residents pay to the Police, he has also underspent his staffing budget by over £5 million this year. There is no justification for cutting Police numbers in the Morley area and we will be campaigning for a Policing fair deal for Morley.

Morley Town Council increased its community safety budget by over 20% to £64,000 a year to support Policing levels across the Morley Town Council area. It’s clear that our commitment

to Morley Folk is much deeper than Labours!