Recession forced police to reorganise manpower
EXTRA bobbies on the beat and a more rapid response time was the aim of the new-look Staffordshire Police force unveiled in March 1992.
Under the rationalisation which had just been launched, Burton took Uttoxeter into custody in a combined division after a shakeup.
Superintendent Glyn Heywood, the man heading the division from Burton, said: “Greater autonomy will allow me to attend to the problems and the public needs of the area.
“Burton now has direct access to Stafford Police headquarters and as we are no longer answerable to Lichfield a whole administration tier has been cut out and officers released for other duties.
“These men will be available for operational police duties to give more manpower.
“With rising crime cares and more drug abuse we are desperately in need of a realistic establishment.
“But I am very mindful of the situation in the county at the moment as we are going through a recession.
“Police forces throughout the United Kingdom are undermanned and Staffordshire is no exception. We just had to reorganise and this will go part of the way to meeting our current resource problem.
“The merger of Burton with Uttoxeter is a rationalisation of manpower and at the moment is the only way forward.
“I cannot sit back and pipe dream and say what I would like. We have to make the most of what we have and as a police manager, make sure it is effectively used.”