The government is investing an extra £100 million in neighbourhood policing to increase officer numbers on the streets, bringing the total investment to £200 million. This follows a previous £100 million pledge to add 13,000 officers by 2029. While this is a positive step, some police forces are still warning of potential cuts due to ongoing financial constraints.
An additional £100 million will be invested in neighbourhood policing to increase the number of officers on patrol. This investment follows a £100 million announcement in December for England and Wales, aiming to add 13,000 more police officers to the streets by 2029. Despite this new funding, police forces have expressed concerns about the financial challenges they face, with some indicating potential cuts to officer numbers.
The latest investment is scheduled for the next financial year, and each police force will develop plans to utilize it for increased patrols by early spring. This comes after the government outlined a provisional 3.5% real-terms increase in funding for police forces, totalling £986.9 million in December. However, this fell short of the £1.3 billion requested by chief constables to address funding gaps over the next two years. Chief Constable Paul Sanford, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for finance, stated that the funding settlement presented 'real challenges' for policing and would 'inevitably lead to cuts across forces'. Lincolnshire Police, for example, has announced a £14 million funding gap next year and is exploring options, including potentially reducing the number of officers by up to 1,000 by 2029. Essex Police has also stated that all its employees 'will be impacted in some way' by cuts. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the significance of this investment, stating, 'This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country. By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200m, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.' She continued, 'Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate. This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our Plan for Change.', adding that 'Restoring local policing will not happen overnight, but this funding boost will get more officers into our town centres and rural areas.' Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged the difficulties faced by police forces, stating, 'I'm not pretending that it isn't difficult and challenging for police forces.' She emphasized that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and chief constables have to make local decisions about the composition of their forces. While admitting the government was 'starting from a difficult position' after 14 years of Conservative rule, she highlighted that around £1 billion in funding is going to police forces from April. Dame Diana Johnson also stated that the government is committed to working with struggling forces, such as Essex and Lincolnshire, to ensure the success of this investment
POLICE FUNDING NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING OFFICER NUMBERS POLICE CUTS HOME SECRETARY POLICE FORCES
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