Plans are in place to bolster the ranks of Cleveland Police with 130 more police officers under proposals by Sultan Alam, if he is elected on May 5.
Sultan is the independent candidate for Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and has raised concerns following a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), which showed overall crime is up 17.5 percent in the last 12 months which equates to an additional 6,457 victims.
An increase in violent crime is up by 42 percent or 3,203 more victims and sexual offences have increased by 55 percent or 453 more victims.
On the 25th February Mike Cunningham, HMIC Inspector, said: “I have some serious concerns about the performance of Cleveland Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime, and how prepared it is to meet its financial challenges.”
The damning statement has highlighted the systematic problems within Cleveland Police and has seen many members of the public calling for a change in leadership.
Sultan Alam has linked the rise in crime to a significant drop in police officers. Since 2010 there has been a 37 percent decrease in staffing levels within Cleveland Police, despite the national average being just 15 percent.
Mr Alam said: “There are 177 fewer police officers on the streets since our current PCC, Barry coppinger, was elected in 2012 and he plans to cut a further 35 if he is re-elected.
“I have plans within the current budget to increase police officers by 130 and ensure there are more ‘bobbies on the beat’ to tackle and deter crime.”
For further information visit www.sultanalam.co.uk or visiting his Facebook page: Sultan Alam For PCC