The Government needs to be demonstrate its support for policing in the November 2017 budget, according to Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg.

In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Hogg explains that pressures on the Police are rising, whilst the number of Police Officers has fallen by nearly a quarter since 2010. The number of reported crimes is rising to record levels.

Mr Hogg said “The Home Secretary is in denial and out of touch when she suggests that the Police have sufficient funds to address all the challenges they face now, and in the future. The Government needs to listen to Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables. We experience every day the demands on our services. Even Durham, the best force in the country, cannot take further funding cuts. That’s why I am writing to the Chancellor to ask him to support the Police in his November budget”.