Keetch Holds Crunch Talks On Police Funding

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Feb 2003

Paul Keetch is seeking meetings to discuss the future funding of the police force.

Paul Keetch, Liberal Democrat MP for Hereford, has held a meeting in Westminster with representatives from West Mercia Police and local MPs to discuss the future funding of the force.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday the 5th of February, was called by Mr Keetch to discuss the authority's latest funding proposals, which could mean an increase in council tax just for the force to retain current manning levels.

MPs from all the main parties were present along with the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Peter Hampson, the Chair of the West Mercia Police Authority, Cllr Joyce Thomas, the force's Director of Finance Stephen Howarth and Clerk David Brierley.

"It was an extremely well informed meeting," Mr Keetch said. "It is clear from the impressive turnout of MPs that there is real concern about police funding among the local communities in the West Mercia area."

"The police in Herefordshire, and throughout the West Mercia area, do a tremendous job and need all the support that they can get. But there are certainly concerns about their future funding.

"It was extremely important for all the local MPs to get together and hear the views of the police authority directly. It was also a good opportunity to put the concerns of my constituents to the people at the very top of West Mercia Police; I think that everyone gained a lot from the meeting."

"The issue of the force's funding has certainly not been fully resolved; there are still a number of important decisions that need to be made. We must ensure that we continue to have an efficient and effective police force that can protect us all."