The police force is set to hit its lowest numbers since 2002 - 34,000 jobs will be lost, under government austerity measures.
This is a step backwards. The state has a duty to protect its citizens. With crime and especially, the fear of crime at alarmingly high levels, cutting police numbers compromises their duty to do so. People deserve a strong police presence on their streets. This reassures them - primarily because it acts as a deterrent but also because it sends the message that the government recognize that crime is a real issue and are taking active steps to combat it.
Inevitably, due to our unsustainable debt levels, the government needs to reduce public spending. However, compromising our safety is not the way to achieve this.
This is a step backwards. The state has a duty to protect its citizens. With crime and especially, the fear of crime at alarmingly high levels, cutting police numbers compromises their duty to do so. People deserve a strong police presence on their streets. This reassures them - primarily because it acts as a deterrent but also because it sends the message that the government recognize that crime is a real issue and are taking active steps to combat it.
Inevitably, due to our unsustainable debt levels, the government needs to reduce public spending. However, compromising our safety is not the way to achieve this.
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