POLICE numbers are down in Warwickshire but the county’s crime commissioner has repeated his promise to protect frontline policing.
Full time officers and special constable numbers fell over the past year. Two fewer full-time officers leaves 853, and 36 fewer specials leaves 206. There was a rise of nine in police community support officers (PCSOs) to 98.
Since Philip Seccombe took over as Police and Crime Commissioner in May numbers have actually increased – with 17 more full-time officers employed; 28 more specials, and 11 PCSOs
Mr Seccombe said: “I pledged during my election campaign that I wanted to protect frontline policing.
“That has been carried through in the commitment within my Police and Crime Plan to increase the numbers of police officers, special constables and PCSOs during the term of my office.
“Together with investments, a refreshed recruitment process and a renewed focus on protecting people from harm, I am confident we can create a safer and more secure Warwickshire for the benefit of all residents.”
* COUNCIL tax for policing in Warwickshire will not rise..
The county’s Police and Crime Panel backed a freeze on the police portion of council tax, which amounts to around ten per cent of the total bill.
The annual bill for the Police Precept will remain unchanged at £191.98 – but the actual amount spent on policing will increase by using £1.1 million from Warwickshire Police’s reserves.
Extra funds will go towards support for victims of crime and vulnerable people, enhanced restorative justice programmes, an extra 22 officers to investigate child sexual abuse, new technology, and initiatives to combat business, rural and cyber crime.
Mr Seccombe said: “I do not think it fair to continue to ask the public to pay extra for policing when the force has relatively large financial reserves which should rightly be spent directly on providing policing services here in Warwickshire.”
