Do you want to pay more to keep our Police or accept the cuts and see fewer Police on our streets?

Before Christmas the Government announced it would be cutting the grant allocated to Merseyside Police. Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson said: “I live in Maghull with my family, so keeping our streets safe, is right at the top of my priorities, just like it is for my friends and neighbours. If this cut is imposed, it will leave the Police facing a grant cut of £3.3m next year. To help fill this funding black hole, the Government has assumed that we, the local taxpayers, will pay more towards policing through our annual council tax bill. “As a result, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy wants to hear your views. Do you want to pay more to keep our police or accept the cuts made by the government and see fewer police on our streets?”

“As part of this year's financial settlement, the Home Office has included in its calculations a 2% increase to the policing element of the Council Tax you pay. “This is the maximum increase allowed to the police precept, but even if local taxpayers do approve this increase, it will raise less than half the money cut by the Government – just £1.4m out of the £3.3m which the government has cut. This cut has been made by the government and is not being made in other parts of the country. Merseyside is being singled out by Theresa May’s Conservative government so we have to decide whether to pay more in tax or see fewer police on our streets. Frankly, the people of Sefton Central need to take control of policing, as the government is clearly not going to keep us safe. If local authorities across Merseyside don't increase the amount of council tax collected, more police officer posts will go. Reluctantly that is why Jane is asking if you would be willing to contribute - 4p a week extra, for the majority of taxpayers here on Merseyside, - to make up the Government shortfall and help limit the impact of these cuts. Maghull Town Council’s Labour Group has agreed to give Merseyside Police a new police station and that is good news for the people of East Sefton. But we also need enough money to pay for our excellent police officers to be on the beat.

“Contact me at billestersonmp@gmail.com or write to me at Space Solutions Business Centre, Sefton Lane Industrial Estate, Maghull L31 8BX and I will let our Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy know your views.”

Top Photo:

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson is pictured with Jane Kennedy Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner and Maghull Labour Cllrs June Burns, Patrick McInley and John Sayers