Crime is rising in Medway and more funding is desperately needed for increased police numbers and community outreach.

Cllr Tristan Osborne, Councillor for Luton and Wayfield said, ‘The 36% increase in crime just last year is criminal and is a direct result of Conservative MPs in Medway voting to cut Police budgets in Parliament hand-in-hand with Tory councillors on the Council.

‘They were told by the Police Federation that cuts have consequences and that now is born out.

‘Medway is now less safe for families, less safe for business, and a less safe place to work and learn.

‘The Medway Tories made a solemn pledge to the people of Medway in 2015 that they would make Medway safer. The statistics today and increases in prior years have shown they have broken that contract with the people of Medway and they will be judged accordingly in May next year.’