Welsh Liberal blogs

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have responded to a report released today from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on ‘county lines’ gangs; claiming a new approach is needed to tackle this serious issue. Too many lives and communities across Wales have been blighted by ‘county lines’ gangs in recent years, and the problem is only getting worse. Children as young as 12 and vulnerable adults are being exploited by these gangs, showing us just how real this problem is. The sad truth is Tory cuts to the police, the Border Force and youth services have made it easier for organised criminal networks to spread, for gangs to smuggle illegal substances into the UK, and for them to prey on our young people. The UK Government must take a grown-up, evidence-based approach to drugs and treat substance misuse and addiction as the health issue that it truly is. Only then will our police forces be able to focus their efforts on what really matters; tackling ...

Today, the Liberal Democrats announce plans to invest an extra £1 billion a year to restore community policing by enabling forces to recruit 20,000 more police officers across England & Wales and fund an immediate 2% pay-rise. In March 2019 there were 5,906 police officers in Wales, a fall of 7.4% from the 2010 figure of 6,375. Gwent police had the greatest fall in police numbers, a fall of 10.5%. Liberal Democrat plans stand in stark contrast to Labour and the Conservatives, who have made big promises on police numbers, but have failed to commit the funding needed to deliver them. The Conservatives’ cuts to police numbers have contributed to a rise in violence and decimated community policing, with 47% of people saying they never see police foot patrols, up from 30% in 2014-15. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds, commented: Communities across Wales have suffered under years of repeated Conservative cuts to police funding. Too many people now f...

Today, the Liberal Democrats announce plans to invest an extra £1 billion a year to restore community policing by enabling forces to recruit 20,000 more police officers across England & Wales and fund an immediate 2% pay-rise. In March 2019 there were 5,906 police officers in Wales, a fall of 7.4% from the 2010 figure of 6,375. Gwent police had the greatest fall in police numbers, a fall of 10.5%. Liberal Democrat plans stand in stark contrast to Labour and the Conservatives, who have made big promises on police numbers, but have failed to commit the funding needed to deliver them. The Conservatives’ cuts to police numbers have contributed to a rise in violence and decimated community policing, with 47% of people saying they never see police foot patrols, up from 30% in 2014-15. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds, commented: Communities across Wales have suffered under years of repeated Conservative cuts to police funding. Too many people now...