Javid brother Bas said that cuts left a ‘very thin blue line’
SAJID Javid’s police chief brother Bas warned earlier this year that “boots on the ground make the difference in crime”.
Chief Superintendent Javid described how major budget cuts had forced him to “fundamentally review” the way his district is policed.
A police officer for 24 years, he spoke out just weeks before his brother became Home Secretary in April.
His comments came as he was questioned by councillors over a decision to close Solihull Police Station in the West Midlands. “We’re all aware of the reductions that have been made in numbers,” he said.
“Just to remind you, we’ve gone from an organisation of 11,000 people to 8,000.
“And that means we need to fundamentally review, and continue to review but change, the way we deploy resources.”
Chief Supt Javid, who previously warned “major budget cuts” had left a “very thin blue line”, added: “In my humble experience, people and boots on the ground make the difference in crime and to communities.”
He added: “If I’m given the distinct choice between officers and buildings, I would choose officers any day of the week.”
The police chief told councillors the policing model has changed considerably since 2010.
Demands on front line officers were so high, some summer days were like New Year’s Eve, he said.
Thousands of worried residents signed a petition calling for the police station to remain open. But their pleas fell on deaf ears and the station will close in 2020.