'Savage and sustained' cuts to policing slammed as crime rises across Merseyside

Figures released this month by the Office for National Statistics for the year ending March 2022 show total recorded crimes up 36,964 to 165,850 on the previous year in Merseyside - a spike of 29 per cent.

The MP says that while crime patterns were significantly affected in the year up to March 2021, due to covid lockdowns and social restrictions, the new 2022 data still shows total recorded crimes in the region to be up a fifth on pre-pandemic levels.

Mr McGinn's comments to the Star were made before two crimes in the past week that caused widespread shock. His views were waiting to be published as the Star was seeking a response from the Home Office.

Crimes that have shocked the nation

This past week's incident saw the fatal shooting of Knowsley Council worker Ashley Dale in Liverpool. She was not believed to be the gunman's intended target.

Ashley Dale (Image: Merseyside Police)

Ashley, 28, was found fatally wounded in the back garden of a house in Old Swan, Liverpool, at around 12.40am on Sunday.

Police believe Ms Dale, a graduate who worked in the environmental health team at Knowsley Council, was not the intended victim.

Then on Monday nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead in Dovecot.

Olivia was at home with her two older siblings when her mother Cheryl Korbel opened the door after hearing gunshots outside.

Ms Korbel, 46, was shot in the wrist as she tried to close the door on the gunman while Olivia stood behind her.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel

The tragedies have shocked local communities and the nation.

Rising crime

In his research Mr McGinn said violence, sexual offences and criminal damage and arson were just a handful of the offences now up on 2020 figures – having risen by 41 per cent, 37 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.

Mr McGinn also pointed to analysis that reveal that, under the Conservatives, officer numbers have fallen from 4,516 total officers in 2010 to 4,042 up to March this year. 

It can also be revealed that the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) in the region has, been slashed by over half, from 486 PCSOs in 2010 to just 202 in 2022.

Mr McGinn reiterated his admiration and full backing for Merseyside Police, led by Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.

He also echoed the supportive public remarks he made toward the force in the House of Commons back in May, where he paid tribute to their "tireless work protecting the public under increasingly challenging circumstances".

Mr McGinn also argued that 12 years of the Conservatives "decimating neighbourhood policing was proof they had badly failed communities and were incapable of supporting police officers in Merseyside and across Britain to tackle crime and deliver on their wider priorities". 

Flowers left outside where Olivia was shot

Neighbourhood policing 'decimated'

Mr McGinn said: “Under the Conservatives, neighbourhood policing on Merseyside has been decimated, crime is rising, and communities are being sorely let down.  

“Despite Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss’ hollow promises, the stark reality is that their government has slashed over 700 police officers in our region and over 10,000 nationwide.

"That stands in stark contrast to Labour, who would bring back neighbourhood policing and stand up firm for law and order, so people can feel safe and secure on our streets. 

“After 12 years of total failure, Merseyside and all our brave officers, who work day and night to protect us, don’t need a different Tory in at the top. We need the fresh start only a Labour Government can truly provide.”

Home Office response

In response a Home Office spokesperson said: “The Government is committed to tackling crime and making our streets safer.

"We are giving police the resources they need, including recruiting 20,000 extra police officers – 611 of which have already been recruited to Merseyside.  

“The number of police officers and PCSOs in local policing roles in the North West has increased from 2015 to 2022.

"In Merseyside, the Home Office has invested just under £3 million since 2020 through the Safer Streets Fund, and an additional £195,712 in Knowsley through the Safety of Women at Night Fund.”

The Home Office added that as of June 30, 2022, 13,790 additional UK officers have been recruited towards the 20,000 uplift target.

On Friday, Home Secretary Priti Patel met police officers on Kingsheath Avenue, where Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot dead.

Ms Patel joined Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurell at the Finch Lane end of the police cordon.

Earlier, she visited Merseyside Police HQ for a briefing and announced support for communities in Liverpool and Knowsley.