Statement from Sussex PCC on PM announcement on Neighbourhood policing

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has released the following statement: 

Smoke and mirrors over extra police numbers:

Today’s announcement of more police is to be welcomed but let’s be clear, the Government’s election manifesto promised 13,000 extra “police” and in reality, police forces will only be getting a handful and for Sussex this means just 43 more officers.

This is because only 3,000 of the 13,000 promised will actually be police officers. The other 10,000 “extra police” will be a mix of PCSOs (with no warranted powers), Special Constables (volunteers who work 16 hours per month) and staff who have been redesignated from other duties.

Police forces are struggling to balance their books because of the Chancellor’s increase in National Insurance costs despite manifesto pledges not to raise taxes. Sussex - based victims’ services are also facing these additional NI costs which is why I have stepped in to cover the increase for the coming year.

The Government’s funding settlement for policing leaves forces nationally with a £118m gap this year. Here in Sussex, despite stringent efficiency programmes, we still have £5m of savings to find because we receive the fifth lowest funding per head of population with local taxpayers also paying the seventh lowest police precept in their council tax bills.

The previous Government’s Uplift programme helped deliver record police officer numbers for Sussex. Thanks to the extra money we now have 739 additional police officers making our county one of the safest in England and Wales.

This Government sweet talked voters with sugar coated exaggerations about police and community safety that will leave a bitter after taste when the uplift in visible policing turns out to be smoke and mirrors and yet another bogus promise.