Cuts could mean fewer officers on streets
Lincolnshire Police will be forced to make millions of pounds of budget cuts by 2014, senior officers have revealed.
Lincolnshire Police believe they could be forced to cut their budget by about £12m – £4m each year between 2011 and 2014.
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Lincolnshire Police believe they could be forced to cut their budget by about £12m
The Government's failure to make clear future spending plans before the general election means the figure could actually be far higher.
And if it is, police say they could be forced to cut staff numbers – meaning their could be fewer policemen on the streets.
The announcement came as the force decided to increase its slice of the council tax by three per cent – meaning the average taxpayer will have to pay about £179 to fund the force in the next financial year.
The new budget will also see an extra 22 officers join the county police.
Chief constable Richard Crompton said: "My ambition is to do everything I can to maintain numbers and services and get through this difficult period.
"But ultimately, if the reduction is more than we anticipate, there is only one place where savings can be found and that is people.
For more on the cutbacks, see Wednesday's Echo.
13 Comments
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by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 6:25PM
“Jimbo couldn't agree more, do you remember Chris duck then, all with fond memories, of course.”
by Steve, Bourne
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 5:51PM
“I love reading all your biased comments about the police, government etc, etc. Keep them coming you cheer up my afternoons!”
by jimbo on the costa, spain
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 4:32PM
“Hi Jane - you keep those pensions coming, duck!”
by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 4:04PM
“Jane, Lincoln
The precept change for the police has be declared as 3%.”
by dean, lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 3:23PM
“what do the police do with our money this will explain why they are trying to recruit more specials as there free lincolnshire police are one of the worse police authoritys in this country”
by Jane, Lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 2:23PM
“In responding to this article, I have read the Police General Grant issued by Government. I have also read the Police Authority Website and the minutes of a meeting of the Finance and Strategy Committee held on 18 December.
The central government site points up an increase in the main grant of 3.17% although a lesser rise on other grants. the Authorities site states:
Total Budget:
2008/9 £70.794m
2009/10 £72.825m
2010/11 £74.936m
I think we need to know more about why £4m cuts are required this year. The budget allocation is above inflation. I have not yet been advised what the police precept charge is on my council tax but I know that the figure from the council totals 2.5%. In all the grant allocation and no doubt the precept is above inflation.
The Police Authority need to tell us why there is a £4m cut. Perhaps they could tell us what the police wage settlement is for the year? Also what other budgets will cost more than inflation? I personallythink that the reason for the cuts relates to police pensions as I read a couple of years ago that the number of retired police officers in Lincolnshire were far greater than those employed. It seems that we have no proper funding arrangement for pensions and this may come out of the grant.
Can we also get in perspective that the country is in a dreadful state adn even given this the PBR has been set to ensure that no police service needs to reduce warranted officers (government statement). It appears to me that for too many years the police like all other public bodies have had huge budgets well above inflation and they have forgotten - just as this government has, the need for good housekeeping. Since budgets have been just above inflation, we continue to have annual statements from the police about cutting police officers. I SAY NO TO CUTTING FRONT LINE STAFF CUT THE MANAGEMENT TIERS AND THE ARRAY OF BACKROOM STAFF.
Further, I would go so far as to ask if Chief Constables are the right people to manage such huge budgets. They are promoted to Chief Constables because of their operational abilities. We need to consider this as we head for lean years ahead. It is high time they lived within their means - we all have to do so.
Further, astonished at the cost of the Authority itself. I read some years ago of a position within the authority and the salary was some £75,000. It is probably £100,000 now. I hope the Conservatives win the election so that we can have an elected Commissioner and do away with authories which cost millions of our taxpayers money.
Finally, it would be helpful and more honest if the PR Department of the police released fuller information to the local media when discussing such issues. By not doing so they attempt to mislead us.”
by scooby the pilot, Lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 12:07PM
“Less policemen on the streets! What policemen would that be then?”
by Brian, Lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 12:02PM
“Less police on the streets ! I doubt anyone would notice, as we don`t see any now.”
by pauline, lincoln
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 11:37AM
“beth - the police are obviously overstaffed if they can waste their time in such a manner rather than doing what they're paid for - fighting crime.”
by BethJones, ermine
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 11:13AM
“How will 'the centre' on the ermine get their 'newsletters' delivered if theres less police to do it for them? There was two of them with nothing better to do than deliver the latest delightful offering on friday afternoon around the ermine! what a waste of police time! as well as ink and paper i hasten to add!”