text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Opposition Day - [4th Allotted Day] - Crime and Policing
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted no cut police numbers and establish elected police chiefs. 
  
  @ MP voted aye against cutting police numbers and against establishing elected police chiefs. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to reject criticism of the government's policy of cutting police numbers and establishing elected police chiefs.
   
  The text of the rejected motion was as follows:
  
  :That this House
  
  * ''notes with concern'' the Government's failure to prioritise the safety of communities by not protecting central Government funding for the police; 
  * ''notes'' the conclusion of the Audit Commission and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary that any budget reduction over 12 per cent. will reduce frontline policing; pays tribute to the police and other agencies for achieving a 43 per cent. reduction in crime, including a 42 per cent. cut in violent crime, since 1997, and for maintaining that reduction through last year's recession; 
  * ''notes'' that public perception of anti-social behaviour is at its lowest level since it was recorded in the British Crime Survey of 2001-02; 
  * ''further notes'' that the previous Government set out plans in its Policing White Paper to drive down policing costs whilst maintaining core funding; and 
  * ''condemns the Government's policy'' of reducing police numbers, restricting police powers and imposing elected commissioners to replace police authorities, thus condemning the police service to unnecessary, unwelcome and costly re-structuring at a time when their focus should be on maintaining the fall in crime and anti-social behaviour.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  