Page 10 - Federation Magazine: August/September 2015

New statistics released Force sees another decrease in numbers he Force lost another 155 officers in Edwards, chairman of West Midlands Police investing in policing services so that our the 12 months to the end of March Federation, “But that still doesn’t make this members can continue to do the job they Tthis year. report any easier to read. joined to do, fighting crime, protecting the The Home Office report, ‘Police “As we have said from the start of the vulnerable and keeping our communities workforce, England and Wales: March 2015’, Government’s austerity measures, there is safe.” reveals the Force had 7,288 officers in March only so much you can take from our budgets The national Police Federation chairman 2014 and 7,155 in March 2015, a reduction before it starts to have an impact on Steve White has called for a ‘widespread of 2.1 per cent, representing the highest front-line policing. and full debate’ about the shrinking percentage fall in the region. “The true cost of the budget cuts are a numbers of officers and staff available to Staffordshire’s numbers also fell but by reduction in the services we are able to forces and how the service can best use the just 15 officers from 1,729 to 1,714 (0.9 per provide and increased pressure on our dwindling resources available. cent) in the same period while Warwickshire officers who are stressed and suffering from Nationwide, there has been a 0.9 per gained 26 officers (3.3 per cent) and West low morale. cent reduction in officer numbers in the 12 Mercia’s numbers increased by 48 officers “We appreciate the Chief Constable and months until 31 March this year. (2.5 per cent). the PCC are trying to do their best given the The highest percentage fall in numbers “We have been aware for some time that funding restrictions the Force is facing but it was 9.3 per cent in Durham while others in more officers would be lost,” says Ian is now time the Government started the ‘Top 10’ were: Gwent (7.6 per cent), PCSOs stop press As Federation went to print, Chief Constable Chris Sims announced PCSOs are being axed in a bid to keep more fully warranted police officers on the front-line. Mr Sims said PCSO numbers would be cut more quickly than police officers and other support staff to “protect critical areas of policing”. The move is part of the WMP2020 cuts programme which will see the Force shrink to the smallest size in its history. Around 2,500 employees will leave over the next five years. How the numbers add up POLICE OFFICERS Figures at Total police Chief Supts Chief Insps Insps Sgts Cons Total Total inc Police staff PCSOs Designated Traffic Headcount 31 March workforce Police Federation Conference 2015 secondments officers wardens 2003 198,375 195 1,258 1,662 6,282 18,732 104,380 132,509 134,450 62,581 1,176 2,108 11,037 2014 209,362 204 1,121 1,778 5,932 19,767 99,107 127,909 128,346 64,097 13,066 4,273 16 17,764 2015 207,140 201.33 1,157 1,657 5,701 19,148 98,954 126,818 127,066 63,719 12,331 4,254 18 16,101 -2,222 -3 36 -121 -230 -62- -153 -1,091 -1,280 -377 -735 -20 2 -1,663 10 federation August/September 2015 www.westmidspolfed.com