This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8050212.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
More officers 'at no extra cost' More officers 'at no extra cost'
(about 1 hour later)
The police service in England and Wales could recruit 20,000 extra officers within the next five years by making savings, according to a police chief.The police service in England and Wales could recruit 20,000 extra officers within the next five years by making savings, according to a police chief.
Essex Chief Constable Roger Baker told a police conference if other forces followed his financial model they could recruit more officers at no extra cost.Essex Chief Constable Roger Baker told a police conference if other forces followed his financial model they could recruit more officers at no extra cost.
In Essex officer numbers have increased by 10% since 2004 compared with a national average of less than 2%. In Essex, officer numbers increased by 10% since 2004 compared with a national average of less than 2%.
The increase has been achieved by cutting back on inessential costs.The increase has been achieved by cutting back on inessential costs.
Chief Constable Baker, who retires this summer as the head of Essex police, also criticised the staffing balance between officers and other police personnel.Chief Constable Baker, who retires this summer as the head of Essex police, also criticised the staffing balance between officers and other police personnel.
He told the Police Federation annual conference in Bournemouth that the police service had "lost the plot" on getting the right staff mix and said that the service risked becoming "an army without soldiers".He told the Police Federation annual conference in Bournemouth that the police service had "lost the plot" on getting the right staff mix and said that the service risked becoming "an army without soldiers".
Public demandPublic demand
Mr Baker urged other forces to follow his lead in prioritising officer numbers.Mr Baker urged other forces to follow his lead in prioritising officer numbers.
He said: "If we apply this model, if Essex is mid-range, we could provide between 15,000 and 20,000 new police officers in the next three to five years without burdening the taxpayer of England and Wales.He said: "If we apply this model, if Essex is mid-range, we could provide between 15,000 and 20,000 new police officers in the next three to five years without burdening the taxpayer of England and Wales.
Chief constables and police authorities decide on the most appropriate allocation of resources and workforce mix for their area Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary
"This would put more police officers on our streets, making it safer for all of us."This would put more police officers on our streets, making it safer for all of us.
"This is achievable if we want it to be and would be exactly what our public want.""This is achievable if we want it to be and would be exactly what our public want."
He said that together the 43 forces in England and Wales could save more than £800 million.He said that together the 43 forces in England and Wales could save more than £800 million.
Mr Baker said in Essex the force had cut costs by teaming up with other forces on large contracts and cutting back on inessential spending.Mr Baker said in Essex the force had cut costs by teaming up with other forces on large contracts and cutting back on inessential spending.
The chief constable said the force had already saved £50,000 per year by buying fuel from cheaper petrol stations and reducing office equipment.The chief constable said the force had already saved £50,000 per year by buying fuel from cheaper petrol stations and reducing office equipment.
He is also planning to cut spending on coffee, biscuits and refreshments, which currently costs the force £120,000 a year.He is also planning to cut spending on coffee, biscuits and refreshments, which currently costs the force £120,000 a year.
By 2013, Essex hopes to have 4000 officers - about 1000 more than in 2004. By 2013, Essex hopes to have 4,000 officers - about 1,000 more than in 2004.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she would encourage other forces to follow the "innovative ways of cutting back on unessential spending".
She said: "Chief constables and police authorities decide on the most appropriate allocation of resources and workforce mix for their area."
She added: "The government grant for the police will have increased by over £3.7bn between 1997/98 and 2010/11 and there are now historically high numbers of police officers - since 1997 their number has increased by nearly 15,000."