U.K. politician warns about dangers of steep police budget cuts

Published 15 September 2011

Yvette Cooper, the U.K.’s shadow home secretary, warns that Yorkshire could be vulnerable to future riots due to a “perfect storm” of uncertain leadership, deep budget cuts, and rising unemployment; the region was largely untouched during the recent riots, but Cooper said that deep spending cuts will leave police forces unequipped to handle civil unrest; due to a budget shortfall of £200 million, Yorkshire will have to cut 1,500 police officers and 2,000 support staff over the next four years; “I am sure police forces will be very clear about learning the lessons of the riots, but I do worry about whether we will have enough officers in future to respond to problems that arise. It makes Yorkshire more vulnerable,” she said

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