Amy Kitcher signs The Real Policing Pledge

1.30.57pm GMT Thu 4th Mar 2010

Lib Dems are committed to getting more bobbies on the beat

Liberal Democrat candidate Amy Kitcher has given her backing to the Police Federation's "real policing pledge".

The pledge commits supporters to upholding the office of police constable, maintaining the number of police, training police, ensuring adequate police numbers in community teams, and honouring the results of the police negotiating board on pay.

Amy Kitcher said: "Acquisitive crime and domestic violence rise during a recession, which is not the right time to cut back on front-line policing. The Liberal Democrats are committed to more police on the beat, and more effective policing on local priorities."

The "real policing pledge" is a campaign organised by the Police Federation ahead of the general election to highlight crime issues and ask candidates to sign up.

Paul Lewis Chairman of the Constables' Central Committee of the Police Federation of England and Wales said "I was pleased to see that the Lib Dems' Safer Streets manifesto calls for a further 3000 police officers on our streets - it is certainly a step in the right direction and the firmest central commitment yet from a mainstream political party."

Full details of the pledge are available on www.realpolicingpledge.co.uk