John Apter, Chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation has responded to yesterday’s (Wednesday) announcement by the Chancellor in his Spending Review.
George Osborne declared there would be no cuts to the police budgets.
Policing already suffered “very damaging cuts”
John Apter, said,
“I cautiously welcome today’s announcement by the Chancellor that police budgets will be not be cut.
“Over the past five years policing has already suffered from very damaging cuts, further cuts would have been devastating to local policing. We must not underestimate the impact of cuts already imposed on us. Hampshire Constabulary has lost almost 1,000 police officers and 500 members of police staff. This has affected the service we provide.
“We are still battling with the cuts already imposed on us and the strain is showing. Although we need to see the fine print, today’s announcement will give us some stability which is much needed.”
Pleased our concerns have been listened to
John went on to say,
“Over recent months, along with the Chief Constable, Andy Marsh and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes I have spoken out about the risk of further cuts to the police budget and warned of the impact.
“I am pleased that our concerns have been listened to and we now have some certainty over the future of funding for Hampshire Constabulary.”
