Blog: PCC reflects on courage of Southport and welcomes extra £200 Million for Neighbourhood policing
17.02.25 - Merseyside
Merseyside's Police Commissioner has used her monthly blog to pay tribute to the courage of the Southport community and welcomes an extra £200 million of Government funding for Neighbourhood Policing.
"We will never comprehend the profound and unthinkable evil that took place in Southport last summer.
Hearing evidence of the harrowing circumstances of that day and the unbearable pain endured by the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar and all those injured, has been truly heart breaking, and I know we will continue to think of everyone affected for many, many years to come.
Southport has shown great courage and strength in the wake of these terrible tragedies. I am immensely proud of the way the community has come together to offer hope and healing. I was honoured to support this work recently through the presentation of funding from money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The Support Southport event, organised by the local neighbourhood policing team, saw community groups, charities and local organisations bidding for a share of £25k to enhance the support they provide to local people, not just in a crisis but all year round – with the community itself having the final say on where the money should be spent.
Such engagement events are vital to building positive relationships between policing and our communities and for increasing confidence. Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of British policing, and I welcome the Government’s recent announcement of £200m extra for neighbourhood policing to help us get back to basics.
People rightly demand vigilance and the addition of thousands of extra police officers and PCSOs nationally will undoubtedly mark a turning point in our ability to deliver visible policing. Locally, our share of the grant will protect jobs and will see action intensified on the issues that strike at the heart of our neighbourhoods and foster fear. I am adamant that any changes must be felt by local people, which is why I will be working closely with the Chief Constable to ensure the extra investment has an impact where it matters most.
There’s always a need to pull together and look out for our neighbours – safe and flourishing communities depend upon it - but strong and responsive local policing is paramount."