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| UK police numbers have been cut, admits Culture Secretary Karen Bradley | UK police numbers have been cut, admits Culture Secretary Karen Bradley |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Karen Bradley, the Culture Secretary, has admitted that police numbers have been cut over the past seven years as a result of the Conservatives’ austerity drive. | Karen Bradley, the Culture Secretary, has admitted that police numbers have been cut over the past seven years as a result of the Conservatives’ austerity drive. |
| It comes after the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – speaking less than 24 hours after the latest terror attack in Britain – highlighted that 20,000 police officer were cut while the Prime Minister was at the helm of the Home Office. | It comes after the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – speaking less than 24 hours after the latest terror attack in Britain – highlighted that 20,000 police officer were cut while the Prime Minister was at the helm of the Home Office. |
| But Ms Bradley refused to drawn on whether the numbers had come down in an awkward interview on Good Morning Britain. Asked about the cuts, she replied: "What I'm interested in is making sure we have the right resources, the right powers and the right training and capabilities. | |
| "I am assured by the police that they have that to deal with the counter-terrorism threat but we need to look, learn lessons and make sure that we act where appropriate, and we need a leader who is prepared to take those decisions, and that is Theresa May.” | "I am assured by the police that they have that to deal with the counter-terrorism threat but we need to look, learn lessons and make sure that we act where appropriate, and we need a leader who is prepared to take those decisions, and that is Theresa May.” |
| Asked again by presenter Piers Morgan whether there was any reason Ms Bradley could not answer the question, she continued: “Piers, we are here to talk about how the attack on Saturday, how we react to that attack and how we make sure on Thursday that we have the right person elected to Downing Street.” | Asked again by presenter Piers Morgan whether there was any reason Ms Bradley could not answer the question, she continued: “Piers, we are here to talk about how the attack on Saturday, how we react to that attack and how we make sure on Thursday that we have the right person elected to Downing Street.” |
| Pressed again, she added: “Piers we are here because on Thursday there is a general election.” | Pressed again, she added: “Piers we are here because on Thursday there is a general election.” |
| But she later conceded on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that “we’ve seen reductions in police numbers across board”, adding: “We had to take difficult decisions in 2010 when we came into office. When as you remember there was no money. | But she later conceded on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that “we’ve seen reductions in police numbers across board”, adding: “We had to take difficult decisions in 2010 when we came into office. When as you remember there was no money. |
| “It’s not just about numbers, it’s about powers. It’s about making sure police have the powers they need. | “It’s not just about numbers, it’s about powers. It’s about making sure police have the powers they need. |
| On BBC Radio 4, Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, also refused to be drawn on Mr Corbyn’s policy to increase police presence in the UK. She said: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on that sort of thing right now as we’re in purdah and we’re about to have the election. | On BBC Radio 4, Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, also refused to be drawn on Mr Corbyn’s policy to increase police presence in the UK. She said: “You wouldn’t expect me to comment on that sort of thing right now as we’re in purdah and we’re about to have the election. |
| But, she continued: “We would always want more resources and to use those resources more effectively. Ms Dick also confirmed the forced had foiled 18 attacks since 2013 and currently has 500 active investigations. | But, she continued: “We would always want more resources and to use those resources more effectively. Ms Dick also confirmed the forced had foiled 18 attacks since 2013 and currently has 500 active investigations. |
| Seven people were killed and 49 injured on Saturday night when attackers rammed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers in bars in the nearby Borough Market. | Seven people were killed and 49 injured on Saturday night when attackers rammed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers in bars in the nearby Borough Market. |
| Isis claimed responsibility for the attack, the third major militant assault to hit Britain in less than three months. | Isis claimed responsibility for the attack, the third major militant assault to hit Britain in less than three months. |