Sajid Javid vows to prioritise police funding

The Home Secretary also called for a 'reset' in relations between the Government and the police, vowing to prioritise police spending following years of rows over budget cuts.

Mr Javid, whose brother is a chief superintendent in West Midlands Police, told hundreds of rank and file officers at a meeting in Birmingham: ""For those of you who stand on the front line, be in no doubt that I will be standing with you.

"I'm not arrogant enough to turn up here after three weeks in the job and tell you how to do yours.

"What I will say is that I am listening and I get it. I get that there's increased demand."

He added: "We need to think more about the long-term funding of the police. So, my pledge to you is this: I will prioritise police funding in the spending review next year.”

Mr Javid's tone was markedly different from that of his predecessors Theresa May and Amber Rudd, who had repeatedly argued that crime was falling. He said: “Yes – traditional crime is over a third lower than it was in 2010 – a credit to your hard work.

"But more crimes – like hate crimes and sexual offences – are being reported than ever before.

"There’s also been a recent increase in serious violent crimes – including homicides, knife and gun crime.

"I am absolutely determined to put an end to the appalling violence that is terminating young lives far too soon. The threat from terrorism has also escalated and evolved."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said Mr Javid's 'warm words' would not solve the problems faced by police forces.

"Warm words are all well and good, but they won't ease the huge issues police forces face," he said.

"Nor will they do anything to halt the increase in crime going on in the West Midlands and around the country. There was no specific commitment to increase police funding.

"There was also no commitment that funding will be focused on the areas that need it most, like the West Midlands."