January 5, 2011 4.02 pm This story is over 158 months old

Police put budget cuts in residents’ hands

Your choice: Lincolnshire Police are letting people decide what areas will be affected by budget cuts with an online simulator.

The Lincolnshire Police Authority are allowing residents decide where budget cuts should be made with a simulator.

An online simulator aims to let people reduce or increase budget spending in various areas of policing, provided they keep within the expenditure allowance.

Their overall saving suggestions can then be sent to the authority.

Engagement and Communication Officer John Horton said: “You can control the budget on the computer and using your own judgement to decide what to spend and where to spend it.

“At a time of increasing austerity for all public services, we have changed the format so that everyone who takes part in the exercise will have to make overall savings of at least five per cent.”

Police Authority Chairman Barry Young said: “The results will inform the Authority’s budget setting decisions in February.

“We are determined that Lincolnshire will continue to have the best possible policing, whatever the savings we have to make.

“We place great importance on listening to, and reacting to, the concerns of all the county’s diverse communities.”

As reported last year, Lincolnshire Police are facing tough cuts, with around 170 job losses and 5.1% cut from their budget.

The full scale of other budget changes and cuts will be announced next month.

Source: Lincolnshire Police