Essex chief constable warns of cuts to officer numbers amid budget shortfall
Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington QPM has warned of a multi-million pound budget shortfall which could mean cuts of well over 200 officers in the new year.
“I know what it costs to run this force and at the moment the sums don’t add up,” said Mr Harrington.
“We all want the same thing – a police force which catches criminals and supports victims: less knife crime, less violence against women and girls and more neighbourhood patrols.
“But we can only keep crime down if we’re funded fairly.
“You can only squeeze the money lemon so much.
“At the moment, I would have to look at about 200 officer posts going next year, as well as some expert police staff roles. My colleagues are proud people; they signed up to protect and serve people and they don’t complain; it’s my job to speak up for them and that’s what I’m doing.”
He said Essex Police needs £418 million in 2025/26 to ensure the force can operate at the same level, highlighting how all crime fell by more than 9,000 offences in Essex in the past 12 months.
Taking into account planned central government funding, local council tax precept from Essex residents and force efficiency savings, the force is still projecting a gap of more than £10 million in 2025/26.
Essex is the eighth-largest force in England and Wales, but per head of population the force is the second-lowest funded by head of population according to official figures from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
“We’ve reduced knife crime and violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse incidents, and we’re cutting vehicle crime and antisocial behaviour – but after finding £42 million in savings in the last four years and with more of our new officers staying-on after being recruited, the wage bill is going up faster than our Home Office funding. Experienced officers cost more; it’s a simple fact.
“A typical new PC costs around £47,000 a year to employ, but in year six that same PC costs us £61,000 to employ. More than 80 per cent of what we spend every year as a force is on pay, so there’s nowhere else to cut our costs and we have already sold off most of our older, unused buildings to put more people on the front line.”
He added: “Our officers will, when they need to, work 24-hour shifts to ensure cases get over the line and criminal suspects are charged and taken before the courts.
“I do not want to lose a single one of them, but I know of cases where an experienced detective solving sexual offences has quit to be a train driver; not because of pay but because they’re frustrated they don’t have all the kit and support – including even more experienced colleagues working alongside them – that they need to catch as many criminals as possible.
“That can’t be right. I’ve also seen officers go to the private sector, again, not for money but because they just want the back-up to bring even more bad people to justice. I can’t sit by and stay silent when everyone just wants the same thing; less crime and even safer neighbourhoods.”