A new funding package for police forces in England and Wales includes a £1 billion boost, partly funded by an average £14 council tax levy. However, critics warn that rising costs and a £218 million funding gap could lead to cuts in officer numbers, potentially by up to 3,500.
Police numbers could be slashed by up to 3,500 next year after ministers signed off a funding package that makes cuts 'inevitable'. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson yesterday revealed that forces will receive a £1billion boost, which will be paid for in part by an average £14 levy on council tax bills. But critics warned that much of the money will be eaten up by rising costs, including the Budget raid on employers' National Insurance, which will cost forces £230million next year.
Tory analysis of the package warned that forces face a funding gap of £218million next year, equal to the cost of employing 3,500 officers. And the National Police Chiefs' Council said the gap could be as much as £1.3billion over the next two years. Norfolk chief constable Paul Sanford, who speaks for the body on finance issues, described the funding package as 'challenging' and said cuts were 'inevitable'. Mr Sanford warned that a Government focus on neighbourhood policing would leave forces 'unable to invest in other specialist areas of policing that are critical to our service'. And on the estimated funding gap, he added: 'The settlement announced today presents real challenges for policing. This will inevitability lead to cuts across forces. Police numbers could be slashed by up to 3,500 next year after ministers signed off a funding package that makes cuts 'inevitable'. The new deal will be paid for in part by an average £14 levy on council tax bills. Pictured: Chancellor Rachel Reeves Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged that £230million of the new settlement will have to be used to cover the increase in employers' NI imposed in the Budget 'Crime is evolving at a rapid pace and becoming more complex. At a time when community needs have never been greater, we cannot afford to cut back our resources.' Police forces have warned for weeks that soaring costs could force them to slash officer numbers next yea
POLICE FUNDING CUTS OFFICER NUMBERS COUNCIL TAX RISING COSTS
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