Authority vows to “minimise the impact” of savage cutbacks

POLICE say they will do all they can to “minimise the impact” of a �2million budget cut.

The Hertfordshire Police Authority has voiced its concern about the cuts, which were announced by the new coalition government last week.

Chairman of the authority Stuart Nagler said: “The [Hertfordshire] Constabulary has delivered excellent results, with crime down by more than 8 per cent last year and detections at an all time high (35 per cent).

“However, we have just been informed that �2m is going to be cut from our Government grants for this year and we will now have to assess what the impact will be.

“Not only will the effect be felt this year, but it will add to the already growing challenges that we are facing in the future.

“A cut of �2m in our current base grant will have a knock-on effect for future settlements equivalent to a further shortfall of �6m over the next three years.

“This is on top of the �11m–22m shortfall that was already predicted.”

All police authorities are affected by the cuts, which amount to �125m across the country and form part of the Government’s �6billion public sector savings.

In addition, a further �10m is being cut from counter terrorism policing in the current year, and Hertfordshire has yet to see how this will affect local funding.

“The Authority will now be working with the Constabulary over the next few weeks to re-work this year’s budget figures and assess what the implications will be for policing in the county,” continued Mr Nagler.

“We remain committed to high standards of policing in the county and will do all we can to minimise any impact.”

It was also announced this week that Mr Nagler has been elected to serve a third term as head of the authority.

Richard Smith was also re-appointed cice-chairman.