PRESS RELEASE - sent to local media Monday 24th June 2013. A Better Deal for Northumbria Police Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC has called upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to protect front line policing by not cutting their budget further. This Wednesday the Chancellor will deliver his Comprehensive Spending Review in the House of Commons, this speech will determine future funding for all government departments – including the Home Office. It is expected that Government Ministers have agreed to further budget cuts – this worries Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner. Vera Baird said “Theresa May needs to speak up and ensure that police budgets are protected. Here in Northumbria we have already seen the Government take more than £60 million from the police budget since 2010 – there is only so many reductions that can be made before the cupboard is bare. Thanks to the creativity of the Chief Constable and myself, we have been able to structure budgets to keep officers on the front line. I urge the Home Secretary to allow us to keep cutting crime by keeping officers serving the communities they know” When elected as Police & Crime Commissioner, the residents of Northumbria stated that they did not want to see privatisation of the police as this often resulted in inferior services being provided. Mrs Baird added “Let me be clear, ultimately privatisation increases costs – we only have to look at how other businesses have been affected by this process. I want public services delivering for local residents not shareholders of companies. If Northumbria gets the funding it deserves from central government we can continue to provide effective and efficient policing in our region. I will not be engaging the services of private companies whilst I am Commissioner. Vera Baird has also ensured that her office costs are substantially cheaper than the old Police Authority. This financial year will see the Police & Crime Commissioner save a massive £884,000 against the cost of the old Police Authority. In comparison with other Offices of Police & Crime Commissioners, it is believed to be one of the largest savings in England and Wales. Mrs Baird said “I’m determined to make savings wherever I can so I can reinvest this money back in to policing. This financial year my office will be nearly 40% cheaper to run compared to the old police authority. We continue to ensure Northumbria Police offers value for money, now the Chancellor and the Home Secretary must ensure the long term strategic priorities of Northumbria Police by giving us a fair settlement on Wednesday” END
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:27:26 +0000
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