The Chancellor is right when he says that we protect the public and he has therefore protected police budgets

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Sara Thornton said:

“The level of police funding is determined by politicians; we present our operational requirements and professional judgment to inform their decision-making but the final decision rests with them.

“We are delighted on behalf of the public with the announcement made by the Chancellor that police budgets will not be cut over the course of this Parliament.

“We remain committed to the need to transform and reform policing.  Our officers will need to be better connected, better equipped and better informed in the future to cope with changing demand.  Better use of technology, more integration with other public sector partners and professionally qualified staff continue to be priorities.

“We will be doing things differently.  There will be more collaboration among forces with more sharing of specialist units.

“The Chancellor is right when he says that we protect the public and he has therefore protected police budgets.  We are grateful.”