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Police numbers 'not sustainable' Police numbers 'not sustainable'
(about 18 hours later)
A report on the future of policing has said the number of officers in England and Wales will have to be reduced.A report on the future of policing has said the number of officers in England and Wales will have to be reduced.
The review was carried out by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who said more tasks should be performed by support staff.The review was carried out by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who said more tasks should be performed by support staff.
He proposes cuts to bureaucracy to make the police more effective.He proposes cuts to bureaucracy to make the police more effective.
It came as the home secretary scrapped forms recording stop and search incidents in three areas, and across England and Wales by the end of 2008. It came as the home secretary scrapped forms recording stop and account incidents in three areas, and across England and Wales by the end of 2008.
'Slight reduction''Slight reduction'
At a briefing, Sir Ronnie Flanagan predicted that financial settlements for the police over the next three years would be tight.At a briefing, Sir Ronnie Flanagan predicted that financial settlements for the police over the next three years would be tight.
With workforce costs taking up 80% of police budgets, he said that maintaining police numbers at their current level was not sustainable.With workforce costs taking up 80% of police budgets, he said that maintaining police numbers at their current level was not sustainable.
Launching the report, he said there would be a slight reduction but refused to say how many of the 141,000 posts would go.Launching the report, he said there would be a slight reduction but refused to say how many of the 141,000 posts would go.
Jobs such as staffing the front desk of police stations and processing suspects in custody suites could be carried out by non police officers, he said.Jobs such as staffing the front desk of police stations and processing suspects in custody suites could be carried out by non police officers, he said.
READ THE FINAL REPORT The Review of Policing by Sir Ronnie Flanagan [946.32KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FINAL REPORT The Review of Policing by Sir Ronnie Flanagan [946.32KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
In the review, Sir Ronnie also called for a total overhaul of stop and search, and the way it is recorded.In the review, Sir Ronnie also called for a total overhaul of stop and search, and the way it is recorded.
He also said police did not need to collect the same amount of paperwork for a broken window as a murder.He also said police did not need to collect the same amount of paperwork for a broken window as a murder.
All projections suggest they can save at least five million man hours a year by cutting red tape - the equivalent of 2,500 officers - Sir Ronnie said.All projections suggest they can save at least five million man hours a year by cutting red tape - the equivalent of 2,500 officers - Sir Ronnie said.
Chairwoman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said taken as a whole the report could put a lot of police officers back on the street.Chairwoman of the Police Federation Jan Berry said taken as a whole the report could put a lot of police officers back on the street.
But she warned, reducing the jobs police did could lead to a "de-skilled" force if the police role became purely "confrontational".But she warned, reducing the jobs police did could lead to a "de-skilled" force if the police role became purely "confrontational".
"It produces a completely different kind of police service, one that's only dealing with confrontational situations, like a paramilitary force," she said."It produces a completely different kind of police service, one that's only dealing with confrontational situations, like a paramilitary force," she said.
"That's not the police service that traditionally this country had, and we have got to be very careful before we fall into that type of police service.""That's not the police service that traditionally this country had, and we have got to be very careful before we fall into that type of police service."
The review is sensibly suggesting ways in which we can better support sworn officers Chief Constable Ken JonesAcpo Cutting cops' red tapeThe review is sensibly suggesting ways in which we can better support sworn officers Chief Constable Ken JonesAcpo Cutting cops' red tape
The report says that when support staff are trained to carry out duties, such as taking statements, the evidence suggests they do so "more effectively", and that "further work" is needed to explore this approach.The report says that when support staff are trained to carry out duties, such as taking statements, the evidence suggests they do so "more effectively", and that "further work" is needed to explore this approach.
Unison, which represents 40,000 civilian - or police staff - says it welcomes proposals to use the skills of its members.Unison, which represents 40,000 civilian - or police staff - says it welcomes proposals to use the skills of its members.
The National Officer for Policing, Ben Priestley, said:The National Officer for Policing, Ben Priestley, said:
"Instead of spending time filling in forms, officers will now have more time doing what they are paid to do - catching criminals and keeping our streets safe.""Instead of spending time filling in forms, officers will now have more time doing what they are paid to do - catching criminals and keeping our streets safe."
'Confronting the threats''Confronting the threats'
The president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Chief Constable Ken Jones, welcomed the report saying Sir Ronnie had "laid down the gauntlet to all those involved in the leadership and governance of policing".The president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Chief Constable Ken Jones, welcomed the report saying Sir Ronnie had "laid down the gauntlet to all those involved in the leadership and governance of policing".
"Acpo is determined to pick up this opportunity and to do all we can to make neighbourhoods as safe and secure as possible while confronting the threats we face from organised crime and terrorism," he said."Acpo is determined to pick up this opportunity and to do all we can to make neighbourhoods as safe and secure as possible while confronting the threats we face from organised crime and terrorism," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY Civilian staff can take care of all paper work done by police officers. They can provide support to police officers on the beat by staying in contact with them on radio/phone.Jawed Iqbal, OldhamSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Civilian staff can take care of all paper work done by police officers. They can provide support to police officers on the beat by staying in contact with them on radio/phone.Jawed Iqbal, OldhamSend us your comments
"The lynchpin of effective policing was and will remain the constable. In the policing context the sworn officer is our 'GP'. "The linchpin of effective policing was and will remain the constable. In the policing context the sworn officer is our 'GP'.
"The review is sensibly suggesting ways in which we can better support sworn officers. It is not advocating reduction or replacement.""The review is sensibly suggesting ways in which we can better support sworn officers. It is not advocating reduction or replacement."
In his report, Sir Ronnie also calls for a "radical overhaul" of police station reception areas and the service provided to the public.In his report, Sir Ronnie also calls for a "radical overhaul" of police station reception areas and the service provided to the public.
"Dingy surroundings, out-of-date posters and poor or slow service," he said, "have a negative impact on public satisfaction and confidence.""Dingy surroundings, out-of-date posters and poor or slow service," he said, "have a negative impact on public satisfaction and confidence."
The report also criticises the Home Office.The report also criticises the Home Office.
It describes the decision to withdraw funding from the national non-emergency telephone number, 101, as "deeply regrettable".It describes the decision to withdraw funding from the national non-emergency telephone number, 101, as "deeply regrettable".