Richard Edwards: The poorest will pay for cuts to policing and criminal injuries awards

Last week HM Inspectorate of Constabulary reported concerns that budget cuts of 20% to police forces would impact on the provision of effective policing. The Government, however, optimistically maintains it can protect front line services but the signs do not augur well. Across the pond in the Californian city of Stockton a remarkable rise in crime followed when city officials slashed the police force by a quarter in a desperate effort to balance the books. That there is a causal link between a reduction in police resources and rising crime is hardly surprising.

Perhaps the Government’s decision, announced last week, to reform the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme should be considered in this context? The proposals will see the complete removal of awards for those who have suffered injuries presently valued less than £2,500 and reduced payments for claims presently below £11,000. Is this a hasty re-writing of the rule book in anticipation of an increase in calls on Treasury coffers?

If there is a rise in violent crime the overwhelming majority of the victims will inhabit our most deprived communities. Even the small award of compensation, designed to represent a token of sympathy from the rest of society, will be denied and replaced with cold indifference. I thought the plan was to balance the books on the backs of those with the broadest shoulders?

An edited version of this article was printed in the Liverpool Post, 12th July 2012.