Where Are All The Police? – An Analysis of Police Resources CHAPTER 3 WHAT THE KEY REPORTS REVEAL
Three national watchdogs, the Audit Commission, HMIC and the Wales Audit Office, have found that the police in England and Wales could save up to £1 billion (12% of central government funding) without reducing police availability. In two reports they outline where savings can be made, the impact on the police and public, and likely impact of any further cuts.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)'s report, 'Valuing the Police' shows that only 11% of the police are visibly available to the public, despite year-on-year increases to budgets for the last 40 years. As we have illustrated, we believe even this figure to be overstated. HMIC warns that with looming budget cuts, the availability of the police to the public will be even further reduced, unless there is a total redesign of the police.
In the joint report - 'Sustaining value for money in the police service' - the three organisations show where savings can be made, breaking down silos with forces working together, and a more efficient match between risk of crime and the number of police on duty to deal with peaks and troughs in demand.
• It notes spending on the police was £13.7 billion in 2008/09, which is 47 per cent more than 1997/98. 80 per cent of this is on staff. Some forces have shown how £270 million could be saved across the service with greater use of civilian staff.
• HMIC's report warns that, while 12% won't be easy to find, savings beyond that would lead to a reduction in police availability. This would mean fewer police on the street and fewer police to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Better procurement (such as buying forensics services, fleet vehicles) could save around £100 million, and up to £140 million could be cut from back office costs. Some forces have collaborated to save millions: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have a joint Major Crimes Unit, while the four forces in Wales worked together and saved £3.3 million on purchasing goods and services in 2008/09. Higher spending police forces are not necessarily better than others, the joint report concludes.
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