Vaz warns on police trust
The public’s trust in policing is under threat after a “dangerous cocktail” of major incidents such as revelations about Hillsborough and the ongoing ‘Plebgate’ row, according to a senior MP.
Writing in the Sunday Express, Keith Vaz calls for a series of actions at this “defining moment” for policing, including the constitution of a Royal Commission, an annual meeting between the Prime Minister and police chiefs, and a “new Magna Carta” for policing.
The Government’s cuts to the police force, cited as a reason for worsening police morale by Mr Vaz, have not led to an increase in crime, Home Office figures released to the Sunday Times reveal today. The statistics show crime fell more than 10% in 19 of 43 police force areas.
Meanwhile a Mail on Sunday investigation found the number of police officers with second jobs has risen almost 20% to 23,000.
Speaking to Sky News this afternoon, Mr Vaz suggested that more front line police officers should face select committees.