Jobs at risk at South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Police may axe 149 jobs over the next year due to “tough constraints” on its budget.

The force plans not to replace staff who leave through retirement, transfers and resignations, but intends to move officers from backroom jobs to patrol the area, meaning that only 40 frontline posts would be lost. The force also revealed that a one-year recruitment freeze has been put in place.

The decision means that the number of officers in South Yorkshire could be reduced to just over 3,000 by March 2009.

A report by the police authority said 102 PC jobs would be axed, along with the posts of 24 detective constables, 15 police sergeants, one detective sergeant, six inspectors and two chief inspectors.

The decision has been criticised by the Police Federation for South Yorkshire. Chairman Inspector Bob Pitt said that he is concerned about the resilience of police forces if numbers decrease.

“Already, even before we see these reductions in numbers, the people that we represent tell me that they are having difficulty coping, that it’s a busy, busy job out there,” he said.

“The bottom line is I would much rather have seen 150 officers put back on the beat. Forty posts is 40 too many. We can’t afford to lose a single officer.”

But Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes said: “Whilst it is difficult to balance the budget in these tough economic times, meeting this challenge causes us to focus on our highest priorities.

“Over the last four years, South Yorkshire Police has continuously made substantial savings while delivering better performance. In the last year alone we saved £7.2 million while delivering the lowest overall crime figures for three years.”

A spokeswoman said: “The force is freeing up officers from back office and admin duties as part of the drive to have as many officers as possible in frontline roles, but some police posts will be lost. However, the force is confident the move will have minimal impact on frontline policing.”