PCC predicts 'tidal wave of violence' in parting shot to ministers
A police commissioner used his final speech in office to accuse the Government of failing the public by not wanting to prevent crime.
West Midlands PCC David Jamieson said a "tidal wave of violence" was on the horizon on the back of an economic crisis and soaring youth unemployment brought on by the Covid pandemic.
The 73-year-old Labour politician, who is retiring at May's election, said ministers had failed to invest in education and deliver jobs, had not "built bridges" with communities and did not want to "prevent crime".
Tories in the region today accused the PCC of politicising the role to mask his failure in office, pointing out that crime has rocketed since Mr Jamieson was elected in 2014.
Speaking at a meeting of the Strategic Policing Board, former MP Mr Jamieson called on his successor to make tackling violent crime their "top priority".
He said the economy was "on life support" after a year of lockdown and warned that "young men and women will be worst hit".
Mr Jamieson said: "Unemployment will rise. Poverty spiral.
"A tidal wave of violence is a very real possibility. Stabbings could escalate, gun crime could soar, drug gangs could flourish and the foundations of our society rocked.
"We must not let this happen."
Mr Jamieson also urged the next commissioner to "work around the clock to tackle the causes of crime".
"They must reach out to communities, help young people understand the importance of the choices they make and successfully rehabilitate offenders," he said.
"Of course to do this they will need a government who also wants to prevent crime.
"A government which builds bridges with communities and young people, not just prisons to lock them up in.
"We need a government that understands that a stitch in time saves nine. A government prepared to invest in education, so our young people can catch up on the time lost during the pandemic.
"A government that delivers jobs for all. A government who believes everyone has the right to walk the streets without fear of violence.
Record
"I’m afraid, at the moment, we don’t have this."
Jay Singh-Sohal, the Conservative candidate for West Midlands PCC, said: "Forty-four police stations closed, more police stations threatened. Total recorded crime up a third.
"Birmingham a centre of both county lines drugs and the highest rate of knife crime in the country. Eight consecutive increases to our local policing tax while The Office of PCCs costs and size increase.
"An undemocratically selected deputy PCC deciding which groups are funded or not.
"Drugs consumption rooms being proposed.
"Unions enjoying rent-free office space in police stations.
"Too much politics, not enough policing: that's the record Mr Jamieson leaves behind."
Other candidates for the May 6 poll are Birmingham pub bombings campaigner Julie Hambleton and Jon Hunt for the Lib Dems.
Labour's candidate is hard-left activist Simon Foster, who said Jeremy Corbyn had shown "courage, fortitude, principle and resilience" in his leadership of the party.
