HERTS POLICE HIT BY LABOUR TWICE

6.02.00pm GMT Tue 11th Dec 2007

County Liberal Democrats have denounced the Government's treatment of the Police as 'scandalous'. Liberal Democrat Hertfordshire Police Authority Member Cllr Allan Witherick said: 'Who would have thought that even the police are having to ask whether they should have the right to strike in the light of their scandalous treatment over pay'

'Worse still are the paltry increases in local police funding ' Hertfordshire will get just 2.9%, whilst neighbouring Bedfordshire gets 3.3%. 'Labour have once again gone for the headlines with extra money for counter-terrorism while failing to support the police officers who keep our streets safe day in and day out. 'For people in Hertfordshire it is even more insulting when the Government press release admits that Hertfordshire's funding is £3.3 million below what it should be according to the Government's own formula. That's the equivalent of nearly 6% on Council Tax.'

Liberal Democrat Cllr Michael Colne, who also sits on the Police Authority agreed, adding: 'Perhaps the biggest fear locally is the funding of Police Community Support Officers. Whilst the Tory County Council are funding them at the moment, how long will it be before they feel the squeeze and also cut back'

The Labour Government are expecting both local Councils and the Police to make "efficiency savings" in addition to throwing yet more legislation at us. I don't think the thin blue line can do anything but start to buckle under this onslaught.