Labour-led Milton Keynes Council are developing their long standing close relationship with the local police to address growing local crime challenges.  

Cllr Moriah Priestly, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Community Partnerships, met with Area Commander Tim Metcalfe and they looked at:

• Working closer with their local teams to get more bobby’s on the beat.
• Developing a councillor  walk about schemes for CMK
  Setting  up a cross agency task group on tackling car cruising and anti social behaviour in CMK.
• Looking at option to employ a Police Community Safety Officer for CMK (PCSO)
  Developing stronger links by  linking the police apprentices scheme to local community outreach meetings  across MK.

Cllr Moriah Priestly said: “It was good to meet with Tim Metcalfe, the Area Commander for Milton Keynes and to build upon our long record of working to tackle crime and anti social behaviour.” 

She added: “Milton Keynes Council has always worked closely with the police through the Community Safety Partnership, but with recent local crime problems making headline news, it is time that we talked about more resources for Milton Keynes.”  

In November 2018, a year ago, figures from the National Audit Office showed a fall in Central Government funding to Thames Valley Police  of £80 million since the 2010-2011 financial year. There was a drop of eight per cent in police officers employed. 

Cllr Priestley continued: “It was short sighted for the Conservative Governments since 2010 to cut police numbers. But by working together we can start to limit the damage caused by Government cuts. There are so many local issues that need joint police and Council action. From dangerous ‘boy drivers’ in CMK to problems of gangs in local schools, to knife crime problems.  Together we can make progress. Labour-led Milton Keynes is putting £180,000 into local initiatives including working with schools. That is good, but the key has to be closer working.”       

Cllr Moriah Priestly concluded: “I do believe the Council’s partnership with the police is strong and I aim to develop joint working further to make MK safer and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.”