MP raises police funding concerns

Gloucestershire MP Mark Harper is to raise concerns in parliament about the level of government funding for the county's police force.

The Conservative MP for the Forest of Dean, has secured a short adjournment debate in the Commons on Tuesday.

He says Gloucestershire Constabulary will only receive an increase in government funding of 2.1% whilst costs will rise by 3.6%.

Mr Harper says the police will be forced find more internal cost savings.

"The coming year will be tough for both tax payers and the police," he said.

"The government has failed to properly fund our police services and it is not acceptable for council tax payers to pick up the bill during this difficult financial time."