Figures obtained by a member of the public from Thames Valley Police suggest that the Conservatives have misled the public on the number of police officers in Milton Keynes.
At a recent public meeting, Thames Valley Police told members of the public that only two additional officers had been recruited to cover Milton Keynes.
MKFM reached out to Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North and Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police, for a comment in response to this.
Despite being unable to gain exact yearly figures from Thames Valley Police, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, MKFM contacted several times to try and get an exact amount and now today, the Progressive Alliance at MK Council have accused the Conservatives of misleading the public.
The Police and Crime Commissioner had stated that an additional 61 police officers over the past two years, while the local Conservative Party have said there are 92.
As reported by MKFM yesterday, following a freedom of information request from a local Milton Keynes resident, figures seen by MKFM suggest that Milton Keynes has only gained 19 more police officers.
In January 2022 there were actually five fewer officers in Milton Keynes compared with January 2021.
The data, supplied by TVP, is based on current rank at the end of each month so also includes acting or temporary transfers.
Labour Councillor Lauren Townsend is the Cabinet Member responsible for community safety: “The Conservatives aren’t telling us the truth about police numbers in Milton Keynes. They can’t even agree themselves if there are 61 or 92 more officers on our streets. The reality is, they are both misleading the public.”
“We know there are not enough police in Milton Keynes. The 183 additional police officers promised by our local Tory MP Ben Everitt at the last election are actually for the entire Thames Valley, all the while our city is in desperate need of more officers on the streets here in Milton Keynes so that we can tackle knife crime properly.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Robin Bradburn added: “The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner has spent months beating around the bush when it comes to police numbers, but the public can see the reality on the ground.”
“There simply aren’t enough officers on our streets and Mr Barber has lost control of knife crime in Milton Keynes. Yet, he chooses to prioritise rural crime and traveller encampments. He obviously favours PR over policing to hide the fact he’s simply not up to the job.”
Yesterday, MKFM reported that the local MPs were encouraging a Milton Keynes bid for 'share of £150 million Safer Streets Fund'.
They say the funding would go towards measures proven to tackle neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Group, told MKFM: "As the Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed, there have been 92 additional hires in the last 2 years and a net gain of 61 new officers. This is pathetic from a Council that has done nothing in Milton Keynes to support the police in tackling crime as knife crime and other forms threaten communities.
"We have promised to act by working with the police, rather than against them to hire new officers, more CCTV and bleed control kits to keep our streets safe."
