Monday 23 February 2015

Stephen Metcalfe MP: speaks up for Basildon and Thurrock Police in Parliament

Stephen Metcalfe, the local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has recently spoken in support of police officers across Basildon and Thurrock in Parliament.

Raising the subject of police red tape with the Home Secretary Theresa May, Stephen Metcalfe asked: “What steps she has taken to reduce administrative burdens on the police.”

Theresa May replied: “We have cut red tape and freed the police from central Government control to enable them to focus on their clear goal, which is to cut crime. The work we have undertaken to reduce bureaucracy could see up to 4.5 million hours of police time saved across all forces every year—the equivalent of more than 2,100 officers back on the beat.”

Stephen Metcalfe said: “May I put on record my thanks to police officers across Basildon and Thurrock for all their hard work in keeping our community safe? Does this Government’s record show that when it comes to vital services such as the police, with true reform it is possible to do more with less?”

Home Secretary Theresa May replied: “My hon. Friend makes a good point. The reforms we have put in place are working, and crime is down overall by more than a fifth since the last election. I join him in saying that work to cut crime is being carried out by police officers and staff day in, day out, and I pay tribute to police officers in Basildon and Thurrock and across the country for that work.”

Stephen Metcalfe later commented: “I believe it is so important that we recognise the incredible job that our local police do in Basildon and Thurrock.”

“The Government is committed to reducing needless red tape, so that we can continue to free up police time and keep our officers on our streets.”

“Since the we came to Government in the last general election, crime overall has fallen by more than a fifth. This has been a brilliant achievement for the country.”