Cuts in police numbers as purse strings tightened (From Sutton Guardian)

Cuts in police numbers as purse strings tightened

12:33pm Friday 4th July 2008

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Epsom can expect cuts in the number of police officers on the street after a Government decision to restrict Surrey's spending on its police over the next three years.

While the police budget increased by 6 per cent for the financial year 2008/9 tax payers faced a rise in the police precept of 9.7 per cent to make up for the lack of funding from the Government.

“We now have £1.9m less than we had planned. This will have significant operational implications.”

Mark Rowley, temporary Chief Constable of Surrey Police

The local government minister John Healey announced last week he would cap the three-year policing budget for Surrey by "nominating" the authority.

It means that the Government, while allowing this year's police budget to stand, will impose spending reductions in following years.

Peter Williams, chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said: "We are concerned about the possible impact of longer term restrictions. This is a serious issue and we will carefully consider what the full impact of the decision is before responding. We are, however, pleased that the Government has now ruled out the possibility of an expensive and counterproductive process of rebilling in Surrey."

Mark Rowley, temporary Chief Constable of Surrey Police said: "We now have £1.9m less than we had planned. This will have significant operational implications."

Crispin Blunt, MP for Banstead and Reigate said: "The blame for the crisis in Surrey's police funding must be squarely laid at the Government's door. Surrey has the most efficient police force in the country despite the unique challenges it faces. Surrey also pays out a huge amount to central funding in taxation. Yet the Government is still content to force cuts on the force.

"On this occasion they have even undermined the principle that Surrey taxpayers can choose to use local resources to fund their own force."

The Government decided to cap the budget in a determined attempt to keep rises in council tax under control.

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