Police force faces job cuts over financial hole

Staff could be cut at Surrey Police as the force attempts to fill a potential £23.4m financial hole.

Inflation and government-agreed pay increases for police officers and staff mean the force has to make savings in the next four years, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Richard Wilson, of Surrey Heath Borough Council, warned that support staff in investigations and forensics could be cut as the police were mandated to have a base number of frontline officers.

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Lisa Townsend said staff reductions would happen through “natural wastage”, meaning officers leaving the force for a new job or change in career.

In a Police and Crime Panel meeting, Surrey Police’s chief financial officer Kelvin Menon said “it is too early to say” exactly what savings would need to be made and where.

He said attempts were being made to cut costs by changing shift patterns, reducing overtime and forensics.

The force was also looking at the benefits of upgrading administrative and data systems and potentially reducing vehicle numbers, Mr Menon added.

He said if the financial hole could not be reduced by the time the budget is set in February 2025, Surrey Police would have to use some of its reserves.

“The chief and the PCC are both committed to try and minimise any impact on residents,” he added.

Surrey Police currently loses an average of 17 officers a month, creating overall a 10% vacancy in the force.

Recognising the financial pressures on forces across the UK, the government has awarded a grant of £175m in 2024/25 to fund the 4.75% officer pay award.

Out of money set aside to cover the pay increases, Surrey Police has been awarded £2.1m to cover the costs.

Ms Townsend said the number of officers had increased in the force, and was still increasing.

She added: “Both the Chief Constable and I have both made commitments to ensure that we have more officers out and about on the streets.”

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