Party differences swept aside to back campaign

11:10am Friday 5th October 2007

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THE leaders of all four parties on City of York Council have backed our Fund Our Force campaign.

Liberal Democrat council leader Steve Galloway, Labour group leader David Scott, Tory leader Ian Gillies and Green leader Andy D'Agorne gathered before last night's full council meeting to sign the petition.

Later, Coun Galloway urged all councillors to sign up as well and passed petition forms around the chamber.

All 46 councillors present signed The Press petition.

The leaders' decision to sign the petition indicated a willingness to put aside party political differences to stand up for policing in York and North Yorkshire.

Coun Galloway said that if cuts of £10 million were made, 300 frontline policing posts could be lost from the force, leaving it with the same staffing levels as it had in 2000/01 - when 50 per cent of operational officers were assaulted while on duty. "York would lose over 100 officers," he said.

The other councillors spoke of their concerns that efforts to make York a safer community could be lost if the cuts went ahead.

During debate, Coun Galloway pleaded with the Government not to reduce the funding, saying it would be "absolutely desperate" if police levels were reduced to aid other areas, with the result that criminals were drawn to York.

A motion opposing the proposed cuts was passed unanimously.