HAMPSHIRE’S cash-strapped police force has handed back all its artwork to help balance the books.
A freedom of information request also revealed that Hampshire Constabulary had spent £1,689.50 on rented artwork over the previous five years.
Three paintings – View of Southampton by B Brett, The Lake of Constance by Frederick Lee Bridell, and Lake Como, Italy, by an unknown artist – were loaned from Southampton City Art Gallery.
Spending on artwork doubled from £265 in 2003/04 to £541.50 in 2007/08. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “This year the constabulary is not spending any money on artwork and last year’s spend includes the cost of having the pieces removed.”
The move comes after the Daily Echo revealed that the service is battling to get out of a £3.5m black hole.
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