Express & Star comment: West Midlands Police needs all the help it can get
It is welcome news that West Midlands Police is to take on 200 new officers.
The recruits will be serving the neighbourhoods where the crime is at its worst, which will hopefully go some way to securing the safety of residents.
But we must not be fooled into thinking this announcement will fix the region’s crime problems.
In order to tackle the unprecedented levels of vehicle and violent crime we are experiencing, the force needs proper funding on a consistent basis.
What use are these officers if they have to be axed in the next wave of cuts?
Sajid Javid’s words appeared to be a step in the right direction when he said it was important police always had the resources they need.
But that has already been offset by Chancellor Philip Hammond, who said no new cash would be available for forces.
While Mr Hammond remains stubborn, the region needs help from other areas to stamp out knife crime.
As alluded to by brave elderly victims Josephine and Colin in today’s Express & Star, more could be done to educate youngsters, while parents should also be taking responsibility for keeping children out of trouble.
Given the current climate, our police force needs as much help as it can get.
