- Response times in Hertfordshire up 29% between 2011 and 2014
- 20 of the 27 forces who provided data showed increases in how long it took to attend the highest priority 999 emergencies at night
- Two forces recorded huge rises of over 50 per cent, in one instance from an average 7 minute response to an average 11 minutes
- Three forces recorded rises of over a third
- Three forces recorded rises of over a quarter
- Only two forces had improved
- The average increase across the country was 17 per cent
- Two forces specifically referenced government cuts in police numbers in their explanation for these shocking rises.
- Over the last four years, almost 17,000 police officers have been cut. Under Tory spending plans, almost 20,000 more police will go in the next Parliament.
- This is against a backdrop of rising serious crime. Violent crime has gone up, more rapes and child abuse are being reported, yet fewer cases are being prosecuted.
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“You can’t trust the Tories with public safety. 999 waits have gone up significantly for the most serious emergencies – and that means victims are being put at risk.
“Thanks to the Tories there are already nearly 17,000 fewer police than in 2010. Now we know they have an extreme plan which threatens even more police being axed in the next Parliament – over 20,000 further police officers – putting even more victims at risk.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. Labour’s FOI covered the highest grade emergency calls at night, it was then analysed by the House of Commons Library.
Data analysed by the House of Commons Library: