Lib Dems Praised By Police Federation Boss Over Pledge For 3000 Extra Officers

12.58.00pm GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

Paul Lewis, Chairman of the Constables' Central Committee of the Police Federation for England and Wales has praised the Liberal Democrats for their commitment to put 3000 extra police on the street.

In a letter to Richard Burt, Mr Lewis said: "I was pleased to see that the Lib Dems' Safer Streets manifesto calls for a further 3000 police officers on our streets - it is certainly a step in the right direction and the firmest central commitment yet from a mainstream political party. "

Richard, who has campaigned for more police and more community support officers locally, said he had joined over 70 Liberal Democrat candidates in signing the Federations' 'Real' Policing Pledge, setting out five key pledges:

• Commit to the office of constable as the bedrock of modern policing

• Maintain the number of warranted police constables in England and Wales

• Ensure that all constables are adequately trained to do their jobs

• Commit to maintain an effective ratio of constables to support staff on community policing teams

• Honour the PNB (Police Negotiating Board)

"Bobbies on the beat are the bedrock of good policing. Residents in Worcestershire would never forgive any future government that allowed policing numbers to fall in order to save money," said Richard.