MP angry as police vehicle fleet to be cut by 30%
26th February 2010
Mike Penning furious as plans are leaked which would result in a 30% cut in police vehicles at Hemel police station.
Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning reacted angrily after learning that the Hertfordshire Chief Constable is proposing to cut the number of vehicles at Hemel Hempstead police station by 7.
Mike said:
“This is outrageous coming so soon after the closure of the police cells at Hemel Hempstead. Yet again the Chief Constable has made an “operational decision” without having the courtesy of consulting any of the local interested parties – including, it would seem, his own officers.”
Mike, who has been on patrol with the local police on many occasions, added:
“I know from first hand experience that there are not enough vehicles at Hemel police station as it is. On several occasions when I have been on patrol with them we have had to wait for a vehicle to become available. I really feel for the local officers who will not only have to juggle normal operational requirements with ferrying prisoners to Watford or Hatfield, but will now have to do it with significantly fewer vehicles.
“My real worry is that this will result in fewer arrests and will affect the level of service provided to the people of Dacorum by our local police.”
