• TWO Tory candidates claim Camden could make up the shortfall in police funding by a “buy-one-get-one-free offer”.  (How to foot only half the bill for police and Planning for more officers, Letters, December 7).

Policing is funded by central government and the Met is set to lose a further £400million in funding on top of £600million cuts already made.

Camden residents cannot be expected to make up the shortfall in central government budgets.
If the Tory candidates got their way Camden could be paying for police officers which the Met could use in Islington or further afield whenever they were required.

The Tory government has already cut over 50 per cent of central government funding to Camden and Camden is set to lose a further £30million.

Where do the two Tory candidates suggest Camden raid the money to fund the “buy-one-get-one-free” police officers?

Education?
Social care?
Housing?
Environment?

If Tory candidates are so keen to increase local policing they would do better to lobby their own government to abandon its ill-conceived austerity measures rather than criticise Camden for not spending money it doesn’t have.

NAYRA BELLO O’SHANAHAN
LEO CASSARANI
SIMON PEARSON
Labour candidates for Swiss Cottage ward