Chief Constables 'making very difficult choices' about police priorities and using resources - NPCC response to HMIC efficiency report

CC Finnigan said:

“The report published today shows that the service has risen to the challenge over the last five years of reduced budgets, fewer officers and staff, and the changing nature of demand. It is good to see HMIC pay tribute to the leadership of the police service and to officers, PCSOs and staff in all forces and their ability to absorb that change.  79 per cent of police forces have been rated as either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ but for other forces there is a need to improve their efficiency.

“In preparation for further cuts in the upcoming Spending Review, chief constables are preparing to make some very difficult choices about what we prioritise and how we use our resources; that includes looking at how neighbourhood policing is delivered.  There need to be fundamental changes to the way we police if we are to maintain public safety with significant reductions to our budget.

“We agree that most forces have a good understanding of their current demand, and accept that the challenge we face as a service is better forecasting our future demand. We are currently conducting a piece of work, along with the College of Policing, to predict and respond to future demand.

“IT, which is described as weak and ageing, has been a difficult area for policing. There are now signs that the Police IT Company is starting to address these long standing and complex issues.

“HMIC have talked for a number of years about sustainability and viability of forces.  It is encouraging that we will work together over the next few months to look at what might be the indicators that would allow us to detect when a force, even an efficient force, might be reaching that tipping point.”

ENDS