A Sunday Times investigation has revealed that one in three police officers on patrol have been lost as a consequence of the Government’s underfunding. I recently spent a day with officers based at Trinity Road Police Station during which I was able to get an insight into the important work that neighbourhood police officers do; it is a particular shame that more than 7,000 of these neighbourhood officers have been lost.

Meanwhile, violent crime rates have surged, almost doubling since 2015, and dwindling police resources have undoubtedly been a factor in this. Avon and Somerset Police now has 1,000 fewer officers than it did in 2008. I have been petitioning the Government to give more money to Avon and Somerset Police, and you can sign in support on the link here.