Chief constable of Strathclyde: 'I can't guarantee police numbers'

Published on Wednesday 26 May 2010 22:35

THE chief constable of Scotland's biggest force has said he cannot guarantee maintaining police officer numbers beyond next April.

However, Stephen House does not anticipate having to make cuts to Strathclyde Police's frontline for at least 18 months, despite facing a funding shortfall of between 20 million and 30m in 2011-12.

He is less confident about the following years unless more money is forthcoming from the Scottish Government.

His comments contrast with those of Colin McKerracher, chief constable of Grampian Police, who said his force needs to start cutting back numbers now.

Half of the Scottish Government's 1,000 extra officers have been deployed in Strathclyde, and the force has also received money from local authorities to put more bobbies on the beat.

Mr House said: "West Dunbartonshire, for example, gave us money for ten officers. If I turned round and decided to spend it on something else they would be pretty unhappy.

"We're doing everything we can to protect numbers in this financial year. The budget gap is 16m and we know we can find that without losing police officers. Next year the gap is 20m and we believe we can find most of it.

"We expect to be able to cover most of our officers for that year. Beyond that we will be in serious difficulty."

He will be talking to local authorities about continuing to fund officers in 2011-12, but does not expect to hold talks with the Scottish Government for 18 months.

He said it was "difficult to tell how many" cuts might be needed to the frontline, but it will be the last area touched.

The increase in frontline officers has yielded benefits for Strathclyde Police. A survey by Glasgow City Council found a 20 per cent increase in confidence in the force. Violent crime is down 10 per cent, while murders are down 30 per cent.

"That is completely linked to the numbers of officers," Mr House said.

"Glasgow Community Planning, a partnership which includes the city council, gives us 3.2m for 100 officers – their view is that it's a good investment. We're not going to blackmail politicians by saying if you don't give us more money we will go to the press, but I am saying that if you give us more money you will get a safer Scotland."

Neither the Scottish Government or Strathclyde's local authorities have revealed funding plans beyond the current financial year.

However, Glasgow City Council said it had no plans to alter its level of funding.

A Glasgow Community Planning spokesman said: "This additional funding has been excellent value for money.

"Strathclyde Police provides a first-class service which makes a real difference to the lives of the people of Glasgow.

"The extra officers will have played a role in the force's recent success in achieving a reduction in recorded crime."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman added: "This government has delivered an all-time record number of police officers on the streets of Scotland, and police funding is also at record levels, helping to ensure crime has fallen to a near 30-year low.

The funding of front-line policing will remain a top priority for this administration, despite the cuts being imposed by the UK government – cuts which underline the need for Scotland's parliament to be given financial responsibility to help grow the economy and protect key services like policing."