Police officer and staff numbers continue to fall

National Policing Lead on Workforce Development, Chief Constable Giles York said: 

“Today’s statistics released by the Home Office show an overall loss of officers and staff in the last year, albeit at a lower rate than in previous years. Chief constables have planned carefully to manage the impact of budget cuts over the last five years. With further austerity to come the challenge to the police service continues and the reduction in officers and staff may well be greater in the next few years. 

“Our effectiveness can’t be solely measured on police numbers. It is the service we deliver that matters to the public.

“We highly value the hard work of our officers and staff who have risen to the challenge of significant financial restraints by continuing to reduce crime, year on year. There has not been a decrease in the demand on the police service, only a change in its nature with an unprecedented rise in reports of child abuse, cyber-crime and public protection issues. 

“We are concerned that if budget cuts continue in the current trend there will be a point in the future when forces are unable to deliver the effective and efficient service that the public expects. Each force comes to these financial challenges from a different starting point; some will be hit harder and feel the impact earlier than others.”