Cleveland Police chief says her ‘selfless’ force needs more funding
The chief constable of Cleveland Police has praised her “selfless” and “committed” force, but said it needs more funding.
Two police officers died in the line of duty last month when their vehicle collided with a car being driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway in Middlesbrough, killing five young men as well.
In an interview with the BBC, police chief Victoria Fuller appeared emotional as she described Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, as “brave, committed, professional people who put the public before themselves”.
“What Matty and Tom were doing that day was a routine part of their role, so I can’t sit here and say that anything would have prevented this from happening,” she said.
“But we have been calling for better funding for many years now. I’ve been here for four years now and, even in my time, there’s been two, two direct funding requests for additional funding here.”
The area of the country covered by Cleveland Police, which includes Middlesbrough, has the highest crime rate in England and Wales.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced earlier this month that the force would be given an extra £2 million to tackle serious crime after a spate of incidents in the area.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said the force was facing a £2.4 million funding shortfall, said to be the equivalent of about 40 full-time police officers.
Mr Storey previously said the Government’s funding for the force “completely fails to deliver the resources required to meet the demand faced by Cleveland Police and falls far short of what is needed”.
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Fuller said her force was doing the “very best with what we’ve got”, adding: “And we absolutely do need more.”
She said she was “passionate” about leading the force through this “difficult time”, and for the next few years.
Ms Fuller continued: “Do you know what? I’ve got the best workforce. I’ve got the best workforce of the most selfless, committed people who do punch above their weight.
“I just want to say thank you to the vast majority of people that live in our area, who are really good, law-abiding people, who care deeply about their communities, who care deeply for their police service, and who have really supported us through.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub