780 FEWER POLICE OFFICERS UNDER LABOUR (22nd December 1998).

New figures released to the Liberal Democrats by the Home Office have revealed that there now 781 fewer police officers in England and Wales than when Labour came to power - a bigger fall in 18 months under Labour than under the entire last Parliament of John Major.

Responding to the new information, Alan Beith MP, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman, said:

“The Labour government is talking tough on crime, but is failing to ensure the front-line resources are available to tackle crime. This looks like another broken promise by Labour on public services.

“Jack Straw criticised John Major’s government for allowing the number of police officers to fall, but under Labour there has been an even faster decline in officer numbers.

“This fall in police numbers has been caused by Labour’s acceptance of Tory spending plans which has imposed a real terms cut in police spending in 1998/99. However, Labour’s own plans for the next three years are also much tighter than would be necessary if police numbers are to be increased.

“The Liberal Democrats are committed to providing 6,000 extra police officers to ensure that community policing survives and to target high crime areas.”

HOME OFFICE REPORT SHOWS ‘DISGRACEFUL FAILURE’ OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ON RACE (8th December 1998).

Alan Beith MP, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman, has written to the Home Secretary today calling for urgent action to eliminate discrimination in the criminal justice system following the publication of the Home Office report Race and the Criminal Justice System. Speaking today, Mr Beith said:

“The facts confirm widely held fears that discrimination against ethnic minorities is taking place on a daily basis. It is a disgraceful failure.

“It is extremely disappointing that no significant improvements are being made to eliminate racial bias .