Police chiefs not worried of spending cuts

Lincolnshire Police chiefs say they are not worried of central government funding cuts, expected to be announced later this month.

Chief Constable Richard Crompton and Chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority Barry Young addressed the issue in a note on the force’s latest annual report.

“It is well-known that the level of funding which we receive from central government is one of the lowest in the country, and that spending on our policing is the lowest per head of population,” they explained.

“Despite this, we have continued to make best use of every pound we receive.

“Through efficiency savings and working in closer collaboration with partners […] we have actually been able to increase the police officer headcount [to 1,225].”

“We know we can still do more, despite the difficulties which lie ahead with significant cuts in central government funding expected.

“We are well used to financial difficulties and well practised in making every penny count,” the chiefs added.

“There will have to be further changes in the way in which we work and we will be consulting widely on this.”

The annual report in figures

Lincolnshire Police claim in their annual report, released on October 14, that there were over 2,600 fewer crimes in the past twelve months compared to last year.

Besides less crime, the force says there are now 165 Special Constables in the county, and 149 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on the streets.

The report also claims that 91% of over 77,000 999 calls were answered within 10 seconds in the last twelve months.

Other key figures from the annual report:

■ 2,620 fewer crimes than in 2008/2009
■ 12,461 crimes solved by Lincolnshire Police
■ 262 fewer homes burgled than in 2008/2009
■ £1.1m cash seized from criminals in 2009/2010
■ 1,254 unlicenced and uninsured vehicles seized
■ 970 drink drivers lost their licence

Lincolnshire Police 2009/2010 Annual Report [PDF] | Compact Accounts 2009/2010 [PDF]