Randerson and Willott call on Labour to give Cardiff a fair policing deal

2.38.00pm GMT Fri 9th Jan 2009

South Wales Police is facing a funding shortfall

Jenny Willott MP and Jenny Randerson AM have today called on the Labour Governments at both ends of the M4 to give South Wales Police the tools to do the job of policing the Welsh capital.

Both the Metropolitan Police and the Lothian and Borders Force, which cover the UK and Scottish capitals, receive significant extra funding to meet the extra responsibilities of policing capital cities, yet South Wales Police, which serves the Welsh capital, receives no extra funding.

The Cardiff Central representatives met with the South Wales Police yesterday to discuss the issues surrounding the difficult funding situation that policing in and around the capital is facing.

Jenny Randerson AM said: "The Met receive tens of millions of pounds funding beyond the normal formula to keep London safe and secure and the Lothian and Borders Force receive around £5m per year to do the same in Edinburgh. "

Jenny Willott MP added: "Every year, South Wales Police ensure that hundreds of events, royal visits and celebrations go ahead as safely as possible. Many of these events are unique to Cardiff because of its capital city status. It is not fair that the Cardiff Council tax payer is required to subsidise the security of the Assembly and other institutions and events which belong to the whole of Wales.

"South Wales Police oversaw 147 major events last year. It is very clear that this is a major part of the crisis in funding the force is facing."

Jenny Randerson continued: "Because there is no clear guidance on where the extra money needed should come from, we are calling for urgent discussions between the Assembly Government and the Home Office in order to resolve the problems and give South Wales Police the extra money it deserves."

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