MP DOMINIC Grieve took his fight to get more police officers in Buckinghamshire to the House of Commons this week.

Mr Grieve, MP for Beaconsfield (Con), is so concerned about crime in his patch that he called an adjournment debate in the Commons on Wednesday to demand more police resources.

But Home Office minister Charles Clarke, who replied to Mr Grieve's questions, said he couldn't offer a lot more help.

Mr Clarke said that Thames Valley Police had had above average increases in grants for the last four years.

He added that discussions were taking place about putting up police pay to attract people, but he couldn't second-guess the result.

South Buckinghamshire is about the richest place in the whole country outside London, and burglary and car crime is rife.

A recent survey by Leeds University academics, which looked at all 375 districts in the country, rated the district next to bottom for police effectiveness in dealing with crime.

Mr Grieve said: "South Bucks is a magnet for criminals from adjacent areas, providing easy pickings. The cause isn't a lazy police force. It's resources."

Mr Grieve admitted afterwards he hadn't expected any promises from the minister. But he said the debate focused minds. "Something might percolate through," he said.

Amersham and Chesham MP Cheryl Gillan (Con), who was also at the debate, said: "No matter how excellent our police are, if you can't recruit and retain you have a serious problem."

Chiltern Vale Police Area commander Rob Beckley told the Bucks Free Press recently: "The cuts had hit us hard but we have come back and are doing well to maintain the numbers of officers we have."