ESSEX POLICE FORCE FUNDING

Early day motion 304, tabled 10 February 1999 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 5 members.

That this House is dismayed at the shortfall of £7 million in the budget necessary to provide just a standstill in the services provided by Essex Police in the 1999-2000 financial year; notes that the Essex Police Authority is as a consequence proposing to cut 135 police officer posts, disband the Mounted Horse Section, sell all the force's police motorcycles, reduce overtime and make many other reductions in the current level of back-up support; believes that the decision of the Home Office to increase the grant by only 1.7 per cent. over the current year is inadequate; and calls on the Government to provide the necessary resources so that Essex Police are not penalised in their task of tackling crime and providing the level of policing services which the county's ever-increasing population requires.

Signatures by party: Conservative 3, Liberal Democrat 2.