Budget cuts lead to axing of 61 North Yorkshire police officers (From Craven Herald)

Budget cuts lead to axing of 61 North Yorkshire police officers

10:10am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Local news

Sixty-one police officer roles and 245 support jobs have been axed in North Yorkshire in the last year, new figures have revealed.

North Yorkshire Police has shed one in 25 police officer jobs as it works to balance the books after a 20 per cent cut in Government funding.

Meanwhile, 245 staff jobs have been cut, the full-time equivalent of 244 roles, and eight police community support officers were also lost in November last year compared to a year before. Assistant Chief Constable Iain Spittal said: “The figures show a reduction in officer numbers due to retirements, resignations and transfers. As we are not recruiting at present, most of these posts will not be re-filled.

“However, we have recently held a successful transferee recruitment campaign for the Scarborough and Filey areas. We expect between ten and 15 new officers to join us over the next few months.

“Despite the reduction in officer numbers, North Yorkshire Police remains one of the highest performing forces in the country. Since 1 April 2011, crime has dropped by seven per cent.

“This equates to 2,352 fewer crimes than the same period last year.

“At this point in time and for more than seven consecutive months, North Yorkshire and the City of York is the safest and lowest crime area in England.

“The latest Home Office crime figures reflect the sheer hard work and dedication of everyone connected to North Yorkshire Police and our partner agencies, particularly during what has been a very tough period in terms of public finances and an unprecedented level of reorganisation.”

Nationally, it has been reported that 6,000 police have been axed in the past year with police forces shedding one in 23 officers.