Police officers tell May to follow Scottish example

POLICE officers from forces in England and Wales heckled Theresa May at a conference and urged her to adopt the Scottish Government’s approach to dealing with cuts.

Scottish ministers are merging eight forces into one to try to cut costs.

However, through the Winsor Review, Westminster is changing officers’ terms and conditions, while forces face 20 per cent cuts.

At the conference, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Not only do our Scottish colleagues have the support of their government, they have no Winsor, they have no professional body and no loss in police officers – but what they do have is a fall in crime.”

John Finnie, SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands and a former police officer, said: “Gone are the days for a Tory home secretary to receive a standing ovation at the Police Federation conference – this is utterly embarrassing for Theresa May.

“This negative reception is in stark contrast to the standing ovation justice secretary Kenny MacAskill received as he addressed the Scottish Police Federation last month.

“That is because of our commitment to protecting frontline staff and the fact we have engaged constructively with members of the Scottish Police Federation on our plans for a single police force.

“Mr McKeever’s comments are extremely positive and the home secretary would do well to heed his advice.”