20/01/2015

Report Claims Police Force To Drop Below 'Touchstone' Figure

Devon and Cornwall Police could lose a further 140 full time officers following the latest round of budget cuts, according to a report by the BBC.

The BBC claim that "senior sources" within the force have told them that more officers will have to be cut, which will see the force drop below the "touchstone 3,000 figure".

The report also states that the number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) will be cut by half, from 360 to 180.

Speaking to the BBC, Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, said: "The force needs to make £29m of savings over the next four years, having already saved over £50m.

"The BBC is right to identify that to fill such a funding gap it will be necessary to see a further sizeable reduction in police staff and officer numbers.

"These are likely to be significant, being mindful that we've already reduced by nearly 1,000 people along with further reductions in our capital budget."

However, it is understood no official decision has yet been taken on specific cuts.

(MH/CD)

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