‘Cuts’ mean burglaries not priority, warn police
ONE of Britain’s top police officers yesterday warned that cuts will result in burglaries and vehicle thefts getting a ‘lighter approach’.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh said his force was left at a ‘tipping point’ as officers struggled to cope with soaring demand.
The Avon and Somerset chief claimed staff were ‘stretched to breaking point’ which could leave some ‘high volume’ crimes receiving little investigation.
He said: ‘The number of officers in neighbourhood policing will be affected. There will be even fewer patrols by officers.
‘One of the impacts is that in prioritising people’s safety by attending to incidents like domestic violence, for crimes such as burglary and vehicle thefts we will have to take a lighter approach.’
Mr Marsh is the latest senior officer to complain that unless policing receives an urgent injection of money the public will suffer.
Earlier this month Steve Ashman – Northumbria Police’s chief constable – said the force was ‘very close’ to no longer being able to provide a ‘professional service’.
And the Police Superintendents’ Association warned of a ‘perfect storm’ of surging crime, staff shortages and dwindling budgets.
Mr Marsh, who receives a total pay package worth £197,935, said his staff have shown ‘tremendous resilience, professionalism and commitment’.
But he said managing major incidents, protecting the vulnerable and dealing with rising crime is ‘simply not sustainable’ without more money.
As he submitted a detailed case for more taxpayer cash, the chief constable said officers were working in ‘increasingly difficult circumstances’ as they tackled a greater volume of more complex crimes.
Mr Marsh added: ‘We now face a tipping point. We cannot sustain further funding cuts without extremely serious consequences.
‘There are serious choices to be made and we don’t believe we can or should make those alone.’
Sue Mountstevens, Avon and Somerset’s policing tsar, has also called for urgent investment for neighbourhood policing.
She said: ‘We have reached the point where enough is enough and policing in Avon and Somerset cannot be stretched any further.’
The force has cut £65million from its spending and shed 655 officers since 2010.
Mr Marsh and Mrs Mountstevens are concerned frontline staff are bearing the brunt of the strain, with many seeking professional help for stress.
But in response, the Home Office said ministers are ‘sensitive’ to the pressures police are under and a review is taking place to understand better the demands on forces.
A spokesman said: ‘This Government has protected overall police spending in real terms since the 2015 Spending Review, with Avon and Somerset Police receiving £4.5million more in total direct resources funding this year compared with 2015-16, and we have announced additional funding for counter-terrorism policing.’
‘Even fewer patrols’