THE next Government must properly fund policing and help the service tackle escalating levels of violent crime, says the chairman of the Essex Police Federation.

Steve Taylor spoke out at the Police Federation of England and Wales conference after the current Home Secretary Amber Rudd, said that the Conservative party had promised to protect the police budget between 2015 and 2019.

He said that there needs to be investment in mental health facilities so the police are not always called upon to assist in incidents which could be dealt with by other services.

He said: “We welcome the fact that the Conservative Party is protecting the police budget. If that is the case as it should mean that we won’t be getting less than we’re already expecting to get.

“It took Amber Rudd a while to get across that point but that’s a positive, if they are not going to get any lower.

“Forces are still finding efficiencies to meet the already low state of the budget.

“A number of my colleagues during conference were able to pin her down to the fact that while the chief is ultimately responsible for delivering policing, the Government gives them the tools to do the job, and one of the tools they’re not giving them is an adequately sized budget.”

During the conference session, there was some debate over whether crime is really down, as the Conservative party claims.

Mr Taylor added: “Not all crime is down, which is reflected in Essex.

“Violent crime is on the increase, knife crime is becoming more and more concerning, particularly where related to gangs and street gangs.”

According to the latest Essex Police statistics, relating to March this year, violent and sexual offences were the second most common incidents on Canvey - below antisocial behaviour.

There were 72 incidents reported in March, compared to 53 in March the previous year. Mr Taylor added: “Is there a party of the police anymore? I’m not so sure. Reinvestment in general probably won’t happen. But, indirect investment in mental health facilities would be a good thing so that we are no longer seen as the service of last resort. So if you don’t want to give the money to the police then find the money and give it to the mental health workers.”