PRIME Minister David Cameron moved to ease fears about police coverage in Uttoxeter as he made a visit to the town on Friday.
Mr Cameron toured the Fox’s Biscuits factory in Cheadle Road as part of his drive to get people to vote in tomorrow’s Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
He was joined by the Conservative candidate Matthew Ellis who is up against Labour’s Joy Garner to be the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
In September the Advertiser spoke to a serving officer of more than 25 years who claimed that Uttoxeter had, at times, little or no coverage at nights and that policing was ‘crumbling’ under the weight of staff cuts and poor management.
However, the Prime Minister told the Advertiser that the police were doing a fine job in difficult circumstances and said the new Police and Crime Commissioner role was an important part of the future process.
He said: “The reports that Uttoxeter is not properly covered are not entirely accurate. The cuts in police funding have meant that the force has to do more with less but they are doing remarkably well with that.
“More and more neighbourhood officers have been recruited which I think is important and crime in Staffordshire has come down by 14 per cent and there have been 10,000 fewer victims of crime in the last two years.
“The police are having to make tough decisions but I think by having a named person that people can go to it will help the process of making sure things get done.
“If the Police and Crime Commissioner does a good job you can re-elect them — if they don’t, just get rid of them and get someone else in. That is the great thing about democracy.
“I would urge everyone — whatever their political beliefs to get out there and vote.” For Fox’s Biscuits in Uttoxeter the visit from the Prime Minister came as a result of a hugely encouraging 2012.
Kevin Hand, general manager for Fox’s Biscuits, said the company was ‘delighted’ that the Prime Minister chose to visit the Cheadle Road factory.
He said: “We were delighted to showcase Fox’s to the Prime Minister and to be recognised for the growth we’ve seen here.
“Fox’s Biscuits is a strong brand in the UK, with a strong heritage of biscuits manufacturing here in Uttoxeter.
“We’ve increased volumes at the site by more than 30 per cent and created 150 new jobs over the last year.
“The visit gave all our employees a great opportunity to be recognised for their hard work and commitment, and a chance to ask the Prime Minister some really topical questions.” The Police and Crime Commissioner elections take place tomorrow when polling stations across the area will be open from 7am until 10pm for votes to be cast.
