On BBC Radio Devon this morning, Luke spoke about the need for the south west to receive its fair share of police funding.

Devon and Cornwall Police force has lost 526 full-time officers in cuts since 2010 – which amounts to 1 in 7.

In that period, homicide rates in the west country have doubled, while sexual offences have increased by more than 200%.

Commenting on the government’s recent promise of extra funding, Luke said:

“Extra funding is welcome, but the government has a long way to go to make up for a decade of austerity inflicted on our communities.

 

We’re also not given the extra resources we need to police the huge numbers of tourists that come to the south west during the summer. We’re simply not getting our fair share of funding.”

Luke also criticised the amount of money spent on Police and Crime Commissioners, pointing out that funding should focus on front-line policing rather than political roles.