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1,400 police jobs could go
UP to 1,400 jobs could be axed at Hampshire police as the force battles to save up to £70m in the next four years, the chief constable has warned.
Alex Marshall today revealed that the force would be reduced from 6,700 to 5,300 if the 25 per cent of savings it has to make due to government cuts were to come from staff.
He also warned that the force will have to find an extra 16m of savings from April 2012 on top of almost 23m already identified.
From then there will be no specialist police squads or teams unless the area police commander can demonstrate that there is an operational need.
Hampshire Constabulary will have to operate on a budget similar to the funding it received in 1997.
Chief Constable Marshall said: 'Most of our funding is rightly spent on employing the 6,700 people who work for us.
'If all of the savings come from staff costs then a 25 per cent cut will mean that we can afford to employ about 5,300 people. We will have fewer police officers, PCSOs and police staff.
'I know all our staff join the constabulary to do the best job they can and that the changes ahead will be difficult for everyone.
'Over the next few years people who leave will rarely be replaced and along with early retirements and voluntary redundancies there will be some redundancies.
'This uncertainty is unsettling and there is a human story and personal consequence every time someone leaves.
'To get to the position where uncertainty is removed we must work to resolve the funding issue.'
Hampshire Police Authority recently agreed to share its air support services with Surrey and Sussex to save cash.
It is has also put plans to develop a new headquarters at Alpha Park in Eastleigh – which was bought two years ago for 10m – on hold.
Plans are already in place to share services such as IT with Thames Valley Police, and more shared services are being considered.
There will be a review of HR, finance, estates, legal services and all other current HQ functions and officers will have to share buildings.
Chief Constable Marshall added: 'The potential loss of 1,400 posts will impact on what we can do.
'The reduction in support will mean that frontline staff will have to work differently.
'The funding will be similar to what we received in 1997.
'We managed then and, despite the new responsibilities placed upon us in the intervening 13 years, we will manage now.
'We know what we have to deliver and we are clear on our priorities.
'All the senior leaders have been briefed on the budget situation and will gather on September 30, to ensure that we have clarity in taking this plan forward.
'I'll continue to communicate every week and I'll conduct face-to-face events at police stations and buildings across the force.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 10 February 2012
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