Diane Abbott response to the publication of David Anderson QC’s report

Diane
Abbott MP,
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the publication of David
Anderson QC’s report, said:

“This is
an extremely valuable report from David Anderson QC. As always, our thoughts
are with the families of the bereaved and survivors of these attacks.

“While we
know nine of fifteen plots were prevented, one of the worrying aspects of the
report is how many of the terrorists were known to the security services and
had been monitored by them. It is possible that more of these may have been
preventable. 

“MI5 and
Counter-Terrorism police have already identified improved neighbourhood
policing as a key part of their prevention strategy. The Government needs
to accept that. But they have cut police numbers and police weren’t even
mentioned in the Budget. The report also says that, after an increase in
Counter-Terrorism spending, grant allocations will be cut over the next three
years.

“Labour
will restore 10,000 police, who will be focused on community policing. We will
review the resources of the security services to focus on preventing
terrorism here in the UK. You can’t provide security on the cheap. Labour will
respond appropriately.”