A POLITICAL row has erupted over policing as forces are ‘stretched to the limit’.

Cllr Ryan Bate, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, has welcomed his party’s commitment to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

He said: “Here in Warrington, my party has been a strong supporter of community policing so I am very pleased that our new policy includes a commitment to two extra neighbourhood police officers for each ward in the country.

“Ideological Tory cuts have taken thousands of police officers off our streets and left too many victims without their cases being solved.

“Police forces have been stretched to the limit and we demand better for the residents of Warrington.

“The Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth agreed a policy called ‘united against crime’.

“This an ambitious plan to reduce crime and ensure people feel safe at the same time as protecting civil liberties.

“There is also a commitment to invest more in the youth service and mental health services, which would benefit both Warrington council and the local NHS.”

However, the comments have been met with criticism from Andy Carter, Tory parliamentary candidate for Warrington South.

He said: “It’s a bit of a strange policy really, Cllr Bate and the Liberals are actually promising fewer police officers than Boris Johnson has already committed to recruit.

“There are 9,136 council wards in the UK, so an extra 18,392 police officers by their own numbers, compared to the 20,000 additional officers pledged by the Conservative Government.

“Community policing is important but so too is tackling organised crime and we’re making sure the police have the powers they need to crack down on serious offenders.

“I was really pleased to see Warrington included in the areas to benefit from an extra £70 million announced by the health secretary for additional spending on mental health.

“About 1,000 extra specialist staff will be recruited in 12 pilot areas, with the NHS building more ties with local councils and charities.”