Police numbers 'will not be reduced', despite £1 million budget cut
Police numbers in Lincolnshire are unlikely to be reduced - despite £1 million being slashed from the force's budget this year, it has been claimed.
Lincolnshire Police Authority and Lincolnshire Police said they do not anticipate that frontline policing will be affected by these cuts but claimed this position "may have to be reviewed as future savings initiatives are announced."
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The news came as Police Minister Nick Herbert announced last night that Lincolnshire Police would receive £1 million less in 2010/11 than was originally promised in February by the out-going Labour government.
The force had expected to receive £44 million from central government this year, but that has now been reduced to £43.1 million.
In his statement to Parliament, Mr Herbert said that police forces had to make their "fair share of savings" as part of the Government's drive to tackle the country's £163 billion deficit.
It came as he announced Home Office efficiency savings worth £367 million, of which £125 million will come from police forces across England and Wales.
Barry Young, Chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority, said: "For some time the force and the authority have recognised that there was likelihood of funding being reduced and had started to plan accordingly.
"It is not anticipated there will be a reduction in frontline policing but this position may have to be reviewed as future savings initiatives are announced."
Peter Steed, Director of Finance and Administration for Lincolnshire Police, added: "Earlier today the Minister for Policing Reform announced a range of funding reductions affecting all English police forces.
"For Lincolnshire this means we will have £1 million less than we originally expected to spend this year.
"At this point in time it is not anticipated that there will be a reduction in front line policing, but this position may have to be reviewed as future savings initiatives are announced."
In his statement to Parliament yesterday, Mr Herbert said: "I am confident that savings of less than one per cent of expected spending in 2010/11 by Police Authorities can be made whilst maintaining a frontline policing service.
"It is for Chief Constables to use their expertise and decide what makes most sense for their force, but I am quite clear that this saving can be achieved by driving out wasteful spending on support functions, reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency in key functions - leaving the frontline of policing strong and secure."
10 Comments
by Resident, West-Lindsey
Monday, May 31 2010, 5:47AM
“*lynn, lincoln , take your body armour of while you write it will be more comfortable*
As for the same old story, glad you take an interest and read.
With Lincolnshire Police Force, the next installment of incompetance will be along soon.”
by lynn, lincoln
Sunday, May 30 2010, 6:09PM
“Resident, West Lindsey, Every chance you get, you trot out the same old story. Emma is having a go, at me, personally, every chance she gets. I couldn't give a fig, 'cos my body armour is too thick!”
by Resident, West-Lindsey
Sunday, May 30 2010, 3:34PM
“* don't employ corrupt officers.* Emma is bang on the button.
This appalling low performing police force would benefit if corrupt officers were removed. Sector Inspectors and Chief Inspectors also culpable reward complacency and corruption against the vulnerable public, including children.”
by steve, Lincoln
Saturday, May 29 2010, 9:27PM
“The government states that budgetary cuts across government departments will not affect front line and essential services; however, the loss of over £1m for one of the lowest funded police forces in the UK is a massive blow.
Reading between the lines, initially there will be no detrimental effect on services; however 'this will be reviewed' means that there will be a long term drop in front line services.
This will no doubt be felt in the more rural areas of the county and in roads policing, which has negligible cover with the current budget.
Surely the Home Office should be looking at local authority structures and spending first, before turning our policing and NHS services into 3rd rate agencies that aren't fit for purpose.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 6:23PM
“That's a coincidence Gary - I always love reading stupid comments from people who can't spell the word 'police' despite it being used several times in the article they're commenting on.
As for what you said about me, needless to say you've failed there as well.”
by Gary, Lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 4:55PM
“Emma, I think you watch too many movies luv!!
And Victor, how exactly will police on foot patrol be able to attend your 999 girl urgently? run, or drive safely in a fast car, use your initiative luv.
As for foot patrol I see plenty of officers on foot patrol in the city centre.
I always love reading articles about the please and then reading stupid comments from roughens that have been brought up with a grudge!!”
by Emma, Lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 11:58AM
“Another suggestion would be don't employ corrupt officers who think they and their family are above the law and who protect the criminals in their family from prosecution.”
by lynn, lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 10:25AM
“I've got another couple of suggestions Victor, get rid of some of the jobsworths in civilian posts, stop using Agency staff, and bending over backwards to keep the CPS and Solicitors happy with some of their stupid demands.”
by Noduckhousesormoatsplease, Lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 9:05AM
“With all the photographs of Lincolnshire officers on file at the Echo, why do they have to use one of another police force, (look at the top of the helmets).
Those helmets tops were in use in Lincolnshire, but long before body armour was worn as in the picture.”
by Victor, Lincoln
Friday, May 28 2010, 8:40AM
“I have a suggestion to help save money. Take away some of the cars and get them to patrol the city centre on foot, then maybe they can do something about the illegal parking (pet hate number one if you hadn't already noticed), people cycling through the pedestrianised part of the High Street, and they'd also see all the people driving while using their mobile phones, like I and everyone else can see as they walk along the road.”