Police tsar set to reject plea

COUNCILLORS WHO demanded 50 extra neighbourhood police officers in South Yorkshire are unlikely to see their request met by the service.

To follow their request would cause “damage” to other elements of policing, which is not acceptable, said Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings. The county’s Police and Crime Panel, which oversees the work of Dr Billings, decided to ask him – and Chief Constable Stephen Watson – to find 90 officers for neighbourhood work.

Dr Billings is to meet Mr Watson today to discuss the issue, but has no expectation the demand can be met without causing damage to other elements of policing.