Police Cuts 'Could Affect Fight Against Crime'

Large cuts to police budgets could seriously affect the ability of forces in England and Wales to fight crime, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary has warned.

A new report, Valuing the Police, showed that only 11% of the police are visibly available to the public, despite year-on-year increases to budgets for the last 40 years.

The report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) warned that with looming budget cuts, the availability of the police to the public will be even further reduced, unless there was a total redesign of the police and how they work, such as re-examing shift patterns.

The HMIC report said that demands on today's police have changed considerably, with increased bureaucracy and specialisations, such as anti-terrorism, organised crime and child protection - drawing officers away from the front line.

The report said that over the last four years, the number of warranted officers working in the community has fallen by 1,429 - despite a rise in the number of police officers.

A report by the Audit Commission, HMIC and the Wales Audit Office, has found that the police in England and Wales could save up to £1 billion (12% of central government funding) without reducing police availability.

The report notes that spending on the police was £13.7 billion in 2008/09, nearly 50% higher than in 1997/98, with 80% of that spend on staff.

The report suggested that better procurement - such as buying forensic services and fleet vehicles - could save around £100 million, while up to £140 million could be cut from back office costs. Reducing the number of Chief Superintendents could save £20 million, while making better use of civilian staff could result in savings of £240 million, the report said.

The report also highlighted the savings that could be made by more collaboration between forces, using examples such as the shared Major Crime Unit between Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police, which saves £3.3 million.

However, the HMIC warned that while cuts of 12% would not be easy, savings beyond that would lead to a reduction in police availability, such as fewer police on the street and fewer officers to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls.

Sir Denis O'Connor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: "The challenge for the police service is to reduce spending without reducing public confidence.

"Our reports show that whilst some forces are getting ready for the budget cuts we know are inevitable, many forces have yet to make adequate preparations. We are today challenging the police, managers and politicians who make strategic decisions about the future of policing in England and Wales to use our reports to examine their choices thoroughly so that the public's safety and well-being are not put at risk."

(KMc/GK)