MP urges minister to increase police numbers in Cumbria after spike in crime

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Tim urged the Government to intervene to provide more police officers to keep Cumbria safe after a large increase in crime in the county.

Speaking during Home Office questions, Tim said: "Cumbria saw a 27% increase in crime last year - that's the third biggest increase in the country.

"And with only eight officers at any one time covering most of my constituency - an area the size of Greater London - this is hardly surprising, but it is dangerous and it is unacceptable.

"Will he intervene immediately and provide the police commissioner with the resources needed to keep our police officers and our communities safe?"

In response, the Policing Minister Nick Hurd dodged answering the question about providing more resources and instead claimed that there was money going into policing and that Cumbria police force is rated as 'good' in "efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy".

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "Local officers do a brilliant job in keeping our communities safe, but there's simply not enough of them.

"For the minister to turn a blind eye today is not good enough and is a complete insult to both local residents and our police officers."