The chief constable of Lincolnshire Police has threatened to cut more than 400 jobs unless more funding is found for the force.
Paul Gibson said the force has a deficit of £14m for the 25/26 financial year, slightly down on last year’s deficit.
“There is a simple and stark message: without urgent and significant funding, I will need to reduce our organisation by over 400 officers and staff.
“I have reluctantly cancelled police recruitment and will need to start reducing police staff numbers significantly and immediately. This is no longer about balancing financial spreadsheets; this is about the imminent withdrawal of core services to the communities of Lincolnshire which will be clearly seen and felt by our residents.
“We will go from being the least-funded force in the country to being an extreme outlier at a time when there is the need to improve our services.
“We will always be committed to serving the public and keeping our county safe, but these levels of reductions will inevitably cause a deterioration in service.
“The PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner) and I will continue to pursue a fair settlement for Lincolnshire, but at present the only options available are large reductions of essential and committed officers and staff,” said the Chief Constable.
He continued: “There may be some potential extra money to support the neighbourhood policing pledge. We welcome any additional funding that is allocated to policing, but unfortunately this will be a tiny percentage of what we need.
“The letter does commit for Home Office officials to work with us on our funding situation, which we have been seeking since August, and we welcome this and will fully engage.”
The PCC, Marc Jones, had asked central government if it would give Lincolnshire permission to increase council tax above the limit of £14 per year for a Band D home, which should trigger a referendum.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declined. Mr Jones told Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Waller he would not hold a referendum as it ‘would not be a good use of resources’.
Under the current proposal, households will likely be asked to pay 4.59 per cent extra – equivalent to £13.95 or 27p per week for those in Band D.
The increase will be discussed by the Police and Crime Panel this week.
In a report for the meeting, the commissioner wrote: “Given the overwhelming support of the people of Lincolnshire for increased funding for their Police Force to maintain policing services as much as possible, I would be prepared to raise the Council Tax by more than £14. However, I would not be prepared to undertake a costly local referendum.
“It would not be a good use of resources and would lead to uncertainty at a time when decisive action is required.”
