Force set for cuts despite narrowing deficit

THE DEPUTY chief constable of West Yorkshire Police has warned that major cutbacks are still set to be imposed despite narrowing an “extremely challenging” financial shortfall to £30m.

The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this month that the force was facing an “unprecedented” financial crisis with a deficit of up to £40m.

Deputy Chief Constable Russ Foster sent an internal email to staff last month, informing colleagues that the force was facing a deficit of up to £40m and was looking at cuts of up to 15 per cent across departments.

In a follow-up email sent last week, which has also been seen by The Yorkshire Post, Mr Foster wrote: “I am please to announce that deficit has been revised down to £30m for the next financial year 2021/22.

“However, without additional funding the Force will regrettably have to make some significant savings.”

The force’s financial uncertainty comes as the area was revealed to have the highest rate of crime – by number of offences by population – in data published by the Office of National Statistics on Friday.

Mr Foster’s email added: “We have already started some work to mitigate against the impending deficit, including a recruitment freeze of some roles and the implementation of a vacancy control panel which will consider the necessity to recruit new police staff roles which become vacant and, if so, determining whether they should be filled by a police officer or member of police staff.

“We are reviewing and re-prioritising our capital spend programme and revenue expenditure.”

In his first email Mr Foster

referred to scheduled meetings to discuss savings in what he called “star chambers”.

The term was criticised by some employees as corporate jargon.

The follow-up email appeared to respond to criticism by saying they would be renamed “savings suggestions forums”.

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson claimed that the force has faced a decade of financial struggles due the Government’s cuts.

He said: “My priority continues to be rebuilding police numbers and to protect police staff and the many key roles they undertake and the invaluable service they provide in helping to keep our communities safe.

“I will continue to fight locally and nationally for much-needed further sustained resources from government, and campaign for the long overdue and promised fairer police funding formula to provide West Yorkshire communities with the right level of support required.”

The Home Office said the Government has provided the “biggest increase in funding for the police in over a decade”, with the West Yorkshire force receiving up to £485m in 2020/21, an increase of up to £36.5m on 2019/20.

A spokesman added the region’s four police forces will be recruiting more than 500 extra officers in this year alone under the Government’s plan to sign up 20,000 new recruits.