15 October 2026
Cleveland’s Labour MPs have taken their fight for extra police funding directly to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Luke Myer, Chris McDonald, Andy McDonald and Jonathan Brash met the Prime Minister for talks yesterday, demanding urgent action to tackle Cleveland Police’s longstanding funding problems.
The meeting follows a week of pressure in Parliament, with Luke speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on Tuesday before meeting Policing Minister Sarah Jones. In the debate, Luke exposed the unfairness of the current funding system. Cleveland has the highest recorded crime rate of any police force in England and Wales, while Chief Constable Victoria Fuller estimates another 500 officers are needed just to bring workloads closer to the national average.
The latest intervention follows a sustained campaign for more police resources, which Luke first raised with ministers shortly after his election in 2024. 48 new neighbourhood officers and PCSOs were delivered by the Labour Government in Cleveland last year.
Pressure intensified following the tragic A66 crash in August, which claimed the lives of Cleveland Police officers PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades. In the aftermath, Cleveland’s Labour MPs met Minister Jones to demand emergency support, and Luke also challenged the Home Secretary in Parliament and raised police funding directly with the Prime Minister. The Government responded with £2 million in emergency funding and hundreds of additional officers temporarily deployed to Cleveland from other forces. But the MPs say a permanent solution is now needed, with Cleveland’s high crime levels and exceptional policing pressures recognised in the next funding settlement.
Luke Myer MP said:
“People across Teesside deserve to feel safe in their communities. Our police officers do an incredible job, but they need the resources to tackle crime, protect families and keep our streets safe.
“Cleveland has been short-changed for too long. Emergency support was welcome, but we need a permanent solution. It’s time our area got its fair share.”