police budgets will become increasingly stretched

[falkor]

Public spending cuts could hit Worcestershire police
8:10am Tuesday 8th December 2009

By James Savage
THE head of local policing in south Worcestershire has said people can expect to see fewer police officers on the streets as inevitable cuts on public spending continue.
Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams made the comments as he faced questions at a Policing Matters meeting at Unity House, Stanley Road, Worcester.

Many members of the public at the meeting said they would like to see more fully warranted police officers patrolling the streets rather than community support officers. We previously reported in your Worcester News how CSOs have the powers but are are not trained to hand out fixed penalty notices as a means of enforcement.

Mr Reakes-Williams told the meeting the role of CSOs in south Worcestershire was to try and engage with younger members of the community rather than “criminalise” their behaviour.

And he warned people to expect to see even fewer police officers over the next few years as police budgets become increasingly stretched.

“With the state of public finances the reality is we are going to see less police rather than more,” he said.

“Whichever political party is in power is going to have some very difficult decisions to make.”

Mr Reakes-Williams said police in south Worcestershire would have to try and operate “smarter” rather than in larger numbers. He said: “I know people may like to see more police but my personal view is that we will see less.

“We have got to get smarter about what we do and make sure we have all our officers in the right place at the right time.

“It is not ideal but unfortunately, it is a reality.”

Mr Reakes-Williams’ predictions were supported by a recent govenment White Paper telling police forces in England and Wales to make annual savings of more than £500 million by 2014.

[lookalikecop]

Does that mean not recuiting more officers and pcso's or letting go of some officers and pcso's???

[typecastboy]

Oh how I'm glad I'm in the Met, I can't see a statement like that being made here.

[PCSOTristan]

Oh how I'm glad I'm in the Met, I can't see a statement like that being made here.

The MET is in the worse situation then the rest of the UK, its got more to change and standardise then anyone else. Who will have to cut the most money from its budget? Who has the biggest force? Who has the most non standard equipment?

Could it be?

[Marlon]

THE head of local policing in south Worcestershire has said people can expect to see fewer police officers on the streets as inevitable cuts on public spending continue.

So much for the policing pledge.

[overthinker1977]

Time to get that plumbing training sorted then eh?

[PCSO Mickyboy]

again, another force not giving there PCSOs the full powers which makes them not working to the full potential

[typecastboy]

God I can't believe how defeatist some of you lot are. All I ever seem to read about these days on here is how we are all doomed the dole queue.

[Gforceuk]

Does that mean not recuiting more officers and pcso's or letting go of some officers and pcso's???

You wont find police officers being let go.. natural wastage only if they do have to reduce numbers

[overthinker1977]

God I can't believe how defeatist some of you lot are. All I ever seem to read about these days on here is how we are all doomed the dole queue.

Doomed!? I'm looking forward to it!! I wish I could retire. Naw, can't say I'm fussed one way or another. As long as there's food in my belly, roof over my head (even a plastic bag type roof), warmth and friends I couldn't give a rats....