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217 police stations and counters across England have closed since 2015, according to shocking new figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats.
That’s the equivalent of over one police station closing every two weeks in the past seven years under the Conservatives.
Liberal Democrats obtained the figures through Freedom Of Information requests to every police force in England and Wales.
Cambridgeshire alone has seen five police stations and counters, including Ely, close to the public since 2015.
Liberal Democrats are urging a return to community policing. Their three-point plan aims to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour and reverse years of Conservative neglect.
- Restore proper community policing, where officers are more visible, trusted and known personally to local people.
- Reverse Conservative cuts to youth services by investing an extra £500 million a year via a ring-fenced fund to Local Authorities.
- Scrap Police and Crime Commissioners and use the £50 million savings to invest in frontline policing and solving crimes.
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP said:
“Shuttered police stations have become a symbol of the Conservatives’ failure on crime. Too many people feel unsafe on their own streets, and too many criminals are getting away with it.
“The Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted, and focused on cutting crime.
“This May people will have a chance to send Boris Johnson’s Conservatives a message. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for more investment in our police and youth services to help make our communities safer.”