MP Daniel Kawczynski to lobby for more funds for Shrewsbury police
More funding is needed to help police deal with anti-social behaviour in Shrewsbury town centre, the town's MP said today.
Daniel Kawczynski said he has pledged to lobby central government for more funding after spending a day with police in Shrewsbury and speaking to Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell.
He said: "I spent a day with Shropshire police and I went out with them on patrol.
"I was in a police car responding and they took me out on calls and I feel that after many years of having to be very careful with budgets we can move towards running a balanced budget and there will be a lot of lobbying going on for additional resources for police forces.
"I think they do a tremendous job but they need more police officers and I was speaking to the head of Shropshire police when I met him and we agreed there needed to be more visible policing in the town centre, in Pride Hill and on the streets around Pride Hill, whether it's dealing with anti-social behaviour or any other crime.
"We had a very productive discussion and he said the police do require more funding and I've committed to try to lobby for it.
"A lot of constituents have been raising the need for more visible policing in the town centre and I agree with them."
Welcomed
Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell welcomed Mr Kawczynski's support.
He said: “I meet regularly with our local MPs across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin to discuss various things. I recently met with MP Daniel Kawczynski after he spent time with officers in Shrewsbury as part of the national initiative to ‘Give a Day to Policing’.
"He was incredibly grateful for the great work our officers are doing and I welcome his support.”
The news comes after an order to protect Shrewsbury town centre from anti-social behaviour was extended for a year.
The Shrewsbury Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order was approved by Shropshire Council’s cabinet in June last year, with the condition that it be brought back for consideration after a year.
Cabinet gave the order the go-ahead to continue last month, which bans anti-social behaviour in public areas - specifically urinating, defecating, leaving personal belongings and continuing to drink alcohol after being asked to stop.
