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Police jobs face axe to save £2m
A "small number" of police officers in Cumbria could lose their jobs in a force overhaul to save £2.2m.

The force is blaming the increasing threat of organised crime and terrorism for the shake-up.

To off-set any losses the force is planning to take on 105 police community safety officers (PCSOs) to work alongside other staff.

It also said that by 2011 the force would be larger overall, employing an extra 40 general police staff.

Cross-border threats

A statement from the force said: "Cumbria is one of the safest places in the country, but it is not immune to the growing threats from serious crime, organised crime and terrorism.

"Over the next four years the constabulary will be reshaped to maintain and improve neighbourhood policing and provide effective protective services."

He said: "Protecting the communities of Cumbria will be one of the key focuses as the constabulary embarks on a major restructuring programme."

The restructuring will also focus on setting up specialist policing services to tackle cross-border criminal threats.

Michael Baxter, Chief Constable, added: "We will be reviewing the number of police officer posts in the constabulary, and there may be a small reduction from each area and elsewhere in the organisation.

"These changes and developments will give us the capacity to meet the evolving challenges of modern day criminality as well as further building our commitment to the protecting the neighbourhoods of Cumbria."

An MP is seeking reassurances from Cumbria Police that front line patrols will not be reduced in favour of community support officers (PCSOs).

David Maclean, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, said he is worried that a scheme to save £2m is a move towards "policing on the cheap".

Cumbria Police said it was committed to community safety, but was looking at a small reduction in officer numbers. [70 quoted today]

A Police Federation spokesman said he was disappointed at the announcement.



Mr Maclean told BBC News: "We need real coppers and real bobbies who can deal with car crime, who can pursue criminals on the motorway, who can actually deal with burglary, theft and violence.

"And on [Carlisle's] Botchergate on a Saturday night, PCSOs are not going to be adequate. You need real bobbies.

"I'd like Cumbria Police to tell us what will be the reduction in police officer strength in the next few years."

The force needs to deal with a £2.2m shortfall by 2010/11, in the face of increased threats from organised crime and terrorism.

Chief Constable Michael Baxter said: "To support that, by March the constabulary and partners will have completed investment in 105 PCSOs.

'Police staff'

"As part of our review we are looking at a small reduction in the number of police officer posts in the constabulary.

"This is more than offset by the increase in operational police staff posts in neighbourhood policing and protective services."

It was a chance to implement better ways of working with a more efficient mix of police officers and police staff, he added.

Andy Wilson, chair of Cumbria Police Federation, said: "The right people in the right functions are sworn police officers working 24/7 patrols, policing roads and investigating criminals who are active in our communities, not staff who have no police powers, who work within limited hours and with restricted flexibility."