It is a fundamental right that residents of Colchester and our wider nation can live, work and socialise safely. It is no secret that crime and anti-social behaviour have been on the rise, and the Government and I are absolutely determined to put a stop to this scourge on the villages, towns and cities up and down our nation.
Ever since my election as Colchester's MP, it has been fundamentally important for me to work closely with Essex Police, Colchester Borough Council, and any other relevant authority in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in our town. I regularly received a large amount of casework from concerned constituents about the level of crime and anti-social behaviour in Colchester, and it was clear to me this issue needed to take precedence for Colchester's authorities. I meet regularly with the District Commander of Colchester Police and go on shifts with our police force to witness what kind of challenges they are facing on the ground. I am also in regular contact with Colchester Borough Council to discuss this issue and work on the measures and policies put in place in our town to tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour.
This is, however, a two-pronged approach, and as Colchester's MP I have consistently lobbied for more funding from central government for our fantastic Essex Police.
I know the Government understands that police demand is changing and becoming increasingly complex. It is also the first priority of government to protect the public. As such, the Government has a key responsibility to ensure PCCs have the necessary funding to keep communities safe.
The Government has published a funding settlement that means total police funding will increase by up to £970 million in 2019/20. This will take total funding to up to £14 billion, including council tax. This substantial increase in funding for the police will enable forces across the country to continue recruiting, fill crucial capability gaps and meet real pressures. I also believe it is important that this funding is well spent, and it is good that the Government will work with police forces to drive efficiency and effectiveness which will help prevent crime and deliver better outcomes for victims of crime.
The Prime Minister made clear in his first speech on the steps of Downing Street that making our streets safer is a clear priority. It was excellent to hear his announcement of another 20,000 police on our streets, and this demonstrates the Government's determination to tackle crime and make our streets safer. I recently contacted the Home Secretary to ask for assurances that Essex Police will receive its fair share of this increase, and I will continue to stand up for our local police force on the national stage in Parliament.
