POLICE bosses have vowed to protect frontline work “as much as possible” in the wake of a savage four-year government spending plan announced today.

Around four per cent a year will be slashed from the country’s policing budget up until 2014/15. Further cuts of six per cent a year will be made to the Home Office, meaning real terms savings of 14 per cent over four years on police spending.

Hampshire Police Authority says it will not know what impact the cuts will have on the Constabulary until mid December when its budget will be set by the Home Secretary.

Authority chair Jacqui Rayment, said: “We will of course protect frontline policing from the cuts as much as possible; however, in expectation of the cuts we face the Authority and the Constabulary are taking important steps to identify where we can make further efficiencies.

“Policing in Hampshire is already low cost and high performing in comparison to many other forces, therefore the task of identifying where we can squeeze more efficiencies is not an easy one. The Authority will be consulting and engaging with residents on the impact of the potential budget early next year.”

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Marsh, added: “As we have previously stated, collaboration is one way in which we can make real savings and we will continue to explore this with neighbouring forces.”

Federation comments on cuts

THE body that represents rank and file police officers in Hampshire has given a mixed reaction to today’s government spending plans.

Policing budgets are due to be slashed by four per cent a year in each of the next four years – around 14 per cent in total.

But Hampshire police chiefs had catered for a 25 per cent cut in the same period, amounting to potential job cuts of some 1,400.

John Apter from Hampshire Police Federation said: “Four per cent cuts year on year over four years will have an impact, Policing will have to change to face what will be difficult times ahead. I am disappointed that Policing was not treated as a priority, at times of heightened security it is the Police who people depend on to protect them’.

“In anticipation of 25 per cent cuts Hampshire’s Chief Constable Alex Marshall suggested that he would have to reduce the Force by 1400, 400 of them being Police Officers.

John Apter said: “Now that we know how deep the cuts will be the Chief Constable must give officers and staff clarity on how the cuts will be managed. The most damaging part of this process has been uncertainty, we now have that and I would urge the Chief Constable to bring some clarity and reassurance for his Officers and staff.”