Tough times ahead for county’s police
AS many as 200 police officers could be lost across the county over the next three years if Leicestershire police freezes its portion of the council tax bill.
The government pays a one-off Council Tax Freezing Grant to police forces which do not increase their charge, Leicestershire Police Authority chief executive Paul Stock told a meeting last Thursday.
But that would still result in a significant funding shortfall between now and 2016, potentially resulting in the loss of about 200 officers.
Raising the precept by 2.5 per cent each year would limit the number of officers to about 140 and is the preferred option for the authority, the meeting heard.
It has already saved about £23m through efficiency programmes but faces a 20 per cent cut in the Government portion of its £175m annual budget over the next four years.
However Chief Constable Simon Cole said resources would be managed to limit the impact on frontline policing.
The force’s financial situation was revealed during a public meeting to discuss the future of the organisation, held at Harborough District Council’s chamber.
Presentations were given by authority chairman Barrie Roper, Mr Stock and Chief Constable Cole, before the floor was opened to questions from the public.
The meeting – one of a number taking place across the county – was held in part to gain residents’ views on police spending plans and priorities before it sets its 2012/13 budget later this month.
The meeting also explained the role of the new Police and Crime Commissioner, due to be elected in November (see panel left).
The commissoner, who will be elected for a four-year term, will monitor police policy.
He or she will be accountable to a panel of at least ten representatives from across the county but the chief constable will retain operational responsibility, the meeting heard.
Elections will be held on November 15 before the commissioner takes up the post on November 22, at which point the police authority will be dissolved.
The future of police community support officers was also discussed, with Leicestershire County Council’s £500,000-a-year funding contribution to the programme expected to come to an end in 2013.
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Weather for Harborough
Monday 21 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
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