Mr Longmore has studied the force’s financial position and taken into consideration local people’s views (over 70 per cent of respondents to the recent consultation favour a 0 per cent increase). This, alongside better than expected savings over the previous year and healthy reserves, means that that people will not pay more for policing at a time when many are already struggling with their household budgets.
To meet the Government’s overall spending plans Mr Longmore is proposing a medium term financial plan which will see an overall ‘real terms’ reduction of around £21 million in police expenditure by 2015/16.
This is to be achieved, in no small part, by a major restructure of policing across West Mercia, particularly impacting on back up and support services which will be provided more economically in alliance with our adjoining force, Warwickshire.
Mr Longmore said: “I am pleased to announce that a significant phase of the restructure will be completed in 2013/14 and that no further reductions in police officer posts will be needed from 1 April 2013, with the planned level of police officer reductions having been achieved. Therefore the force is now recruiting police officers again.
“The number of CSOs posts to be protected has been further increased through to at least 2015/16. This represents an increase of 49 posts compared to original plans. I am also in discussions to further enhance our neighbourhood watch schemes and to further develop the Special Constabulary, providing opportunities for the creation of local teams where Special Constables can serve the local communities in which they live.
“Front line policing requires effective back up and support services but by restructuring those services and working closely with our partner Warwickshire Police these can be modernised and provided at lower cost. This will involve the loss of some 250 West Mercia posts by 2015/16, but these job losses will be achieved over time and it is hoped that compulsory redundancies can be minimised.
“As part of the restructure we have an opportunity to review the deployment of our local policing teams. We have not carried out a comprehensive review of our teams since they were created in 2004. Experience shows us that some areas are under greater pressures than others. The Chief Constable is charged with making best use of our front line officers and staff. Therefore our Local Policing Teams will now be restructured into new Safer Neighbourhood Teams. There will remain blanket coverage of services to the public but the teams and their supervising officers will be redeployed to achieve maximum effect. As these changes take effect I shall be listening to communities and monitoring police performance.
“I do not expect any reduction in the service people receive when they call for assistance or in the level of support or protection from harm people rightly expect.
“I am keenly aware that people are concerned about the retention of their police stations. I understand those concerns and have discussed with the Chief Constable how best we can use our existing premises and how we might share buildings with other bodies to maintain a police presence where an operational need can be demonstrated. In some cases this can be achieved by relocation of premises, in some cases combining with other public services. This involves the preparation of proposals for consultation with local communities which I shall publish in the very near future.
“Lastly I want to pay tribute to the hard work many organisations and people carry out in preventing crime, in diverting offenders and supporting victims. I intend to strengthen that work and am today announcing my intention to establish a £2 million Community Safety Fund to sustain and improve this valuable activity.”
All of these proposals will be put before the Police and Crime Panel for their consideration on 5 February. Mr Longmore will take on board their views and comments before finalising the precept level and issuing the final Police and Crime Plan in March.
People wishing to comment on the Police and Crime Plan can still do so – the consultation closes on 15 February 2013. People can either write to OPCC West Mercia, PO Box 487, Shrewsbury, SY2 6WB or email opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.
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