Reading Lib Dems call for more neighbourhood policing

At a time when police stations and front desks are disappearing, people want visible, trusted officers and a clear local point of contact. Labour already promised the public 13,000 more police officers, but instead, officer numbers have fallen - by June 2025, we had 4,000 fewer frontline officers than the year before. Crimes like shoplifting, bike theft, tool theft and more are going unchecked, leaving ordinary people to pay the price.

Liberal Democrats Councillor for Tilehurst, Meri O’Connell, said:

“Promises by press release are all well and good, but the Government must deliver. The former Conservative Government destroyed neighbourhood policing and left our communities to pay the price.

“Labour already promised the public 13,000 more police officers, but instead officer numbers have fallen - by June last year, we had 4,000 fewer frontline officers than the year before. 

“It’s the public that pays the price - in the Thames Valley, rates of shoplifting have gone up 14%.

“If the Government is serious about restoring neighbourhood policing, it needs to step up, get this right, and get more officers back onto our streets.”