Police jobs to be cut to save £3m

THE number of police officers in the county is being cut to help save £3m.

Northamptonshire Police yesterday revealed that 12 officers and 29 civilian support staff posts are to go.

The announcement comes a day after Bill Dredge, chairman of Northamptonshire's Neighbourhood Watch Association resigned in protetst against police plans to spend £13.2m on a new police detention centre in Northampton.

And it follows a questionnaire sent out by the Police Authority last month asking the public if they would be prepared to pay more council tax to help meet a predicted £5m funding gap in the 2007/08 budget.

The police also announced that 25 new Police Community Support Officers, some of which will be paid for by local authorities and other partners, will be recruited this year, bringing the total number of PCSOs to 138.

The move was criticised by Kettering MP Philip Hollobone in the House of Commons on Monday. He said cutting the number of police officers and having more PCSOs was not in the best interests of the force.

Chief Constable Peter Maddison said: "Staff will be given every support, including redeployment where this is possible, but we recognise these are difficult and stressful times for many people."

A budget review identified savings in excess of £3m are needed.[/q]