HUHNE SLAMS 14% CUT IN HAMPSHIRE ANTI-CRIME FUND

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Jun 2007

The budget helps fund local CCTV and other initiatives.

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today attacked the Government's 14 per cent cut in the county's community safety funds - the anti-crime partnership with local councils - as short-sighted and counter-productive cut.

"The Community Safety Funds across Hampshire are a key part of fighting anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti as well as other minor crime. More constituents concerned about crime come to me on these issues than any other.

The budget for Hampshire, which funds local closed circuit television (CCTV) and other initiatives, is being cut from £1,364,043 in 2006-7 to £1,172,321 in 2007-8. There will be a meeting on 20th June to settle how to distribute the cut.

"It beggars belief that the Government is cutting the budget by 14 per cent this year compared with last year so soon after cutting back on the allocated police community support officers by a third.

"The Home Office seems to be unable to pursue any policy consistently and well, and is lurching around under the demob happy leadership of Dr John Reid who is shortly to stand down as a minister when Tony Blair goes.

"This cut is short-sighted and counter-productive. The increase in partnership money and local policing is one of the few improvements that Eastleigh people have seen for their extra tax payments, and now that is going too" said Mr Huhne.

"I strongly opposed the cut in new police community support officers, and I will fight this cut tooth and nail. Hampshire deserves better."