EIGHT MPs from both main political parties have joined Lancashire’s new Conservative police and crime commissioner Andrew Snowden in calling for a review of the government cash given to the force.

They have signed a letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel calling for a review of the national formula which decides where Whitehall grants to the police goes.

The eight Parliamentarians include Blackburn Labour MP Kate Hollern and Tories Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) and Antony Higginbotham (Burnley).

Mr Snowden said: “I’m delighted to be joined by MPs from across the political divide in calling for a fair, transparent review into how funding is decided for policing across the country.

“The police funding formula needs to be reviewed to ensure fairness and to better consider issues such as demand on the service, crime levels and economic factors. Working constructively wherever possible with Westminster is extremely important to ensure we get the best possible deal for policing.”

Mrs Hollern said: “I had no hesitation in supporting the police commissioner’s request for a review of the police funding formula. As Blackburn’s MP I have attended a number of meetings at which Lancashire MPs across the board expressed concern that the county was not getting its fair share of police funding. Lancashire lost 750 police officers as a result of cuts implemented in 2010 – and the consequence of this shows with the number of concerns I receive that there are not enough police on the streets.”

Mr Berry said: “I’m pleased that we are significantly increasing the numbers of police here in Lancashire. We do however need to look closely at the way local forces are funded, to make sure that it continues to be as fair as possible to everyone across the UK.”

The Lancashire Telegraph has approached the Home Office for comment.

Mr Higginbotham said: ’“I’ve always said I’m committed to increasing the number of front line police officers and have been working with our new Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden to do just that. Already we’ve seen Government provide an extra 276 police officers across Lancashire.

“These new officers are vital in our fight against criminality, helping to cut crime, keep neighbourhoods in Burnley and Padiham secure.”