Putting Croydon First

Labour: fighting for you across Croydon

Tories betray people of Croydon

Just two months after the riot in Croydon, police cuts have started. Malcolm Wicks has been the only Croydon MP who has stood up for Croydon in Parliament; his pleas to stop police cuts have been ignored by Prime Minister David Cameron. Malcolm Wicks is also the only Labour MP representing Croydon.

The Tories say they want to slash unnecessary and costly back office staff, however, it is those back office staff, such as forensic and photo analysis teams who have identified the majority of those caught up in the Croydon riots.

At the Extraordinary Council Meeting in September, Tory Councillors supported Labour’s call for more police not less. Labour Councillors are calling for an Emergency Council Meeting to demand answers.

Labour Leader, Councillor Tony Newman said:

"These cuts to the police in Croydon, with an immediate loss of six sergeants and the impending loss of 2,000 across London have exposed the breathtaking hypocrisy of local Tory politicians. The figure of 2,000 comes from the Police Federation. Less than eight weeks ago, Croydon suffered the worst rioting and looting in our history. Tory Councillors in Croydon backed Labour in calling for more police locally. Prime Minister David Cameron is hell bent on making further savage cuts to our police that will undoubtedly leave every resident at risk and our streets unsafe."

Labour spokesperson for public protection, Councillor Stuart Collins said:

“Croydon's GLA member Councillor O’ Connell must surely consider his position, as a GLA Member and a Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority. He has done nothing to defend Croydon from the cuts that his boss David Cameron has inflicted on us.

Frankly, people are increasingly sick and tired of the crocodile tears from Mr O’Connell and his colleague, Croydon Central Tory MP, Gavin Barwell. To add insult to what victims have already suffered, they say one thing in public and then vote for police cuts whenever they get the chance."