RYEDALE MP Kevin Hollinrake has welcomed the news of a £4.4m increase in police funding for North Yorkshire.

The Government has committed an additional £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales as part of a comprehensive settlement so individual forces have the resources they need to respond to changes in demand.

Mr Hollinrake has also welcomed news that the counter terrorism policing budget will rise by seven per cent, along with £130 million extra for national policing priorities.

He said: “The first responsibility of government is to keep our country and its citizens safe, and to protect our way of life and our values.

“Over the past seven years crime has fallen by more than a third across the country, but we know there is more to do. That’s why I am delighted that we are to receive additional investment to help North Yorkshire police keep people safe in our communities.”

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, also welcomed the Government’s decision. “While I’m pleased that policing doesn’t now have to contend with budget cuts, I am under no illusion that savings continue to need to be made locally, given increases in pay for the workforce, rising demand and additional money being spent on national issues,” she said.

“Everything I do as the elected Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire is to protect and support the frontline.”