SOUTH WALES POLICE MUST IMPROVE PERFORMANCE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Oct 2009

Commenting on today's Inspectorate of Constabulary report, which rates the performance of police forces in delivering the 10 'Policing Pledges', Jenny Willott MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said:

"South Wales Police have plenty of room for improvement.

"I am particularly concerned at the low level of time the police spend tackling local priorities in Cardiff. This must be improved as a matter or urgency.

"Other key areas that the police need to improve on are consulting the public, handling and recording complaints and keeping the victims of crime properly informed on the progress of their case.

"The government is only making life harder for South Wales Police by allowing their funding shortfall to get bigger and bigger.

"The resulting police station closures in Cardiff will only slow the police response to 999 calls in central Cardiff. People in Cardiff deserve better."