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Police forces all face major budget cuts Police forces all face major budget cuts
(about 3 hours later)
Every police force in England and Wales is preparing for major budget cuts over the next five years, the BBC has found.Every police force in England and Wales is preparing for major budget cuts over the next five years, the BBC has found.
Forces are facing a 5% cut in government funding in 2015/16 and more cuts after the general election.Forces are facing a 5% cut in government funding in 2015/16 and more cuts after the general election.
Some forces are planning to cut officer numbers to help them operate on smaller budgets.Some forces are planning to cut officer numbers to help them operate on smaller budgets.
To lessen the impact, 34 forces plan an increase of the precept - the part of the council tax put towards policing - over the forthcoming year.To lessen the impact, 34 forces plan an increase of the precept - the part of the council tax put towards policing - over the forthcoming year.
Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston said the scale of planned cuts has not "been understood by the public or politicians".Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston said the scale of planned cuts has not "been understood by the public or politicians".
His force is facing a deficit of £18.9m by 2018/19.His force is facing a deficit of £18.9m by 2018/19.
The expected budget cuts come after a reduction in 20% since 2011 in the amount spent by the Home Office on the police.The expected budget cuts come after a reduction in 20% since 2011 in the amount spent by the Home Office on the police.
Cuts forecastsCuts forecasts
After 2015/16, all forces are bracing themselves for further cuts, amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds, though the exact level of savings required will depend on the outcome of the general election.After 2015/16, all forces are bracing themselves for further cuts, amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds, though the exact level of savings required will depend on the outcome of the general election.
Some PCCs have produced forecasts of budget cuts to 2019, others until 2020, among them:Some PCCs have produced forecasts of budget cuts to 2019, others until 2020, among them:
In Cumbria, under the PCC's "change programme" to deliver savings of £10m by 2019, the force will be "resolving some issues to the satisfaction of callers without deploying an officer to the scene".In Cumbria, under the PCC's "change programme" to deliver savings of £10m by 2019, the force will be "resolving some issues to the satisfaction of callers without deploying an officer to the scene".
Proposals from Hampshire's PCC, Simon Hayes, say that operational policing "can no longer be ring-fenced" and that front-line services "need to be reduced to meet the financial budget".Proposals from Hampshire's PCC, Simon Hayes, say that operational policing "can no longer be ring-fenced" and that front-line services "need to be reduced to meet the financial budget".
Home Secretary Theresa May has warned there will have to be further cuts if the Conservatives form the next government, and has suggested that integrating the three emergency services - police, fire, ambulance - is one way to save money.Home Secretary Theresa May has warned there will have to be further cuts if the Conservatives form the next government, and has suggested that integrating the three emergency services - police, fire, ambulance - is one way to save money.
Labour says that, if elected, it will help police forces find significant savings by reducing the costs they pay for equipment, IT and other services.Labour says that, if elected, it will help police forces find significant savings by reducing the costs they pay for equipment, IT and other services.
Cuts collaborationsCuts collaborations
The analysis also shows that the precept will increase in three-quarters of areas in the next financial year to offset central government cuts.The analysis also shows that the precept will increase in three-quarters of areas in the next financial year to offset central government cuts.
Of the 34 forces planning to increase the precept, 30 will do so by just under 2%.Of the 34 forces planning to increase the precept, 30 will do so by just under 2%.
In most cases it's thought that will mean householders having to pay a few pounds more each year in their council tax - on top of any other rises imposed by local authorities.In most cases it's thought that will mean householders having to pay a few pounds more each year in their council tax - on top of any other rises imposed by local authorities.
That is a significant threshold as PCCs in England who want to raise the precept by 2% or more have to hold a referendum - which is what Bedfordshire's PCC, Olly Martins, is doing on general election day.That is a significant threshold as PCCs in England who want to raise the precept by 2% or more have to hold a referendum - which is what Bedfordshire's PCC, Olly Martins, is doing on general election day.
He is proposing a precept rise to maintain police recruitment and plug a £6m budget gap in 2019.He is proposing a precept rise to maintain police recruitment and plug a £6m budget gap in 2019.
"A rise of 15.8% would restore effective neighbourhood policing in all areas and balance the budget until beyond the next Parliament," he says on his website."A rise of 15.8% would restore effective neighbourhood policing in all areas and balance the budget until beyond the next Parliament," he says on his website.
In Wales, which has different rules, three forces will increase the precept by between 3.44% and 5% - while it will be lowered by 5% in Dyfed Powys, the only Welsh force where there will be a reduction.In Wales, which has different rules, three forces will increase the precept by between 3.44% and 5% - while it will be lowered by 5% in Dyfed Powys, the only Welsh force where there will be a reduction.
Force collaborationsForce collaborations
Many PCCs say further cuts will inevitably mean fewer officers, as most policing costs go on staffing.Many PCCs say further cuts will inevitably mean fewer officers, as most policing costs go on staffing.
The number of officers currently stands at 127,000 - the lowest level since September 2001 - though Labour promise to reverse planned cuts of 1,100 officer posts in 2015/16.The number of officers currently stands at 127,000 - the lowest level since September 2001 - though Labour promise to reverse planned cuts of 1,100 officer posts in 2015/16.
Lancashire's Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, says by April his force will have lost 700 officers and 500 staff - losses that he claims could double by 2020/21 if the cuts continue at the current pace.Lancashire's Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, says by April his force will have lost 700 officers and 500 staff - losses that he claims could double by 2020/21 if the cuts continue at the current pace.
But some PCCs appear to be rising to the challenge of making savings.But some PCCs appear to be rising to the challenge of making savings.
Suffolk Police's Commissioner, Tim Passmore, says the force is undergoing a "radical service redesign so that the constabulary can continue to keep people safe".Suffolk Police's Commissioner, Tim Passmore, says the force is undergoing a "radical service redesign so that the constabulary can continue to keep people safe".
The redesign includes "continued collaboration" with Norfolk Police.The redesign includes "continued collaboration" with Norfolk Police.
Other so-called "strategic alliances" include Warwickshire and West Mercia, Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall and Dorset, and South Yorkshire and Humberside.Other so-called "strategic alliances" include Warwickshire and West Mercia, Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall and Dorset, and South Yorkshire and Humberside.
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