POLICE FUNDING IN THE WEST MIDLANDS AND COVENTRY

That this House is concerned by figures regarding police officer and staff figures across the West Midlands and Coventry; notes that since 2010 there has been a reduction in the total workforce of 2,000 and a reduction of £145 million in budget; further notes that in 2017-18 West Midlands Police received £444.1 million and in 2018-19 West Midlands Police is due to receive the same figure, which means there will be a real terms cut in government funding once inflation is taken into account; believes that these drastic reductions in staff and front line officers will have a detrimental effect on the reporting of crime as well as the safety of citizens across the West Midlands; and calls on the Government to support police officers and staff by providing adequate support as well as ensuring front line police staff numbers are returned to pre-2010 figures.