A further 2,000 West Midlands police jobs could be axed as a result of Government spending cuts.
The figure was revealed by Police Commissioner Bob Jones, who warned that a continued cull of uniformed officers might send into reverse a recent record fall in recorded crime.
Mr Jones said “alarming” proposals for a further 10 per cent cut in police budgets over four years from 2015, outlined recently by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, posed a real risk that the number of offences in the West Midlands would begin to rise again.
The force budget has already been cut by about 20 per cent since 2011, some £125 million.
In total, 2,200 jobs have disappeared including 1,000 police officers and 1,200 civilian staff.
But the new round of savings planned by the Government would involve reducing the force budget by another £60 million and mean the loss of a further 1,000 police jobs and 1,000 civilian posts, Mr Jones said.
He added that the impact of shedding 4,200 jobs and reducing spending by a total of 30 per cent between 2011 and 2019 could bring about a “tipping point”. Savings would have to be made from budgets set aside for intelligence gathering and crime prevention work and that would send offences spiralling again.
He was speaking at the first meeting of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board, a body consisting of Mr Jones, his deputy Cllr Yvonne Mosquito, four assistant police commissioners and four non-executive members.
I attended the public meeting today and left as Paul’s ear was being bent by the Chief Constable. Some of the figures cited were not given in the meeting, e.g. the staff reductions to date had been 50:60 officers to staff.
It was difficult to see much difference between the police authority and the strategy board, excluding the board is smaller.
Bob Jones also, again, stated he was leading by example over the costs of his office. A matter that has led to some criticism elsewhere over WMP’s senior officers having chauffeur-driven cars, new phones and first class rail travel.
It was the board’s first meeting, early days yet.
I have just had an increase in my contribution to policing in the West Midlands via the increase in the precept I have to pay along with my Council Tax.
I understood that this increase was to fund additional officers, so in reality I am now paying for a reduction in officers.
The Police and Crime Commisioner has my deepest sympathy, in that as he makes efforts to make the County safer by increasing the numbers of officers on the beat, central government pulls the rug from under his feet.
Another 2,000 West Mids police jobs at risk, claims Commissioner Jones: @ChamberlainFile