A recent report by the Audit Commission and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has found the number of people to take a burglar to court is 30. This figure includes emergency call handles, dispatchers, scene of crime officers, detectives, custody staff, medical examiners, prosecutors and van drivers.
The Audit Commission now believe £1 billion can be cut from an annual spend of £13.7 billion without damaging service. They believe however the police forces are ill prepared for tough financial times ahead.
The cost cutting could be with changes to shift patterns, administration and changing to staffing levels.
Michael O’Higgins, the chairman of the Audit Commission, said: “Better value for money in policing will be a challenge, but it is possible.”
However, Paul McKeever, the chairman of the Police Federation, said frontline services had to be protected saying “Losing police officers is not an option where public safety and security is concerned.”
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