Thirty five jobs to go at Cheshire Police (From Warrington Guardian)

Thirty five jobs to go at Cheshire Police

1:00pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News

BUDGET cuts will see 35 jobs go at Cheshire Police, according to proposals made by Police and Crime Commisioner John Dwyer.

He said the need to make £8.3million in savings will result in a raft of jobs going.

It will see 35 staff go, but the commisioner says they will not come from front line roles.

In addition 37 officers have also been lost, although some through retirement or leaving to go elsewhere.

But 21 new officers will be recruited over the next year, meaning a net loss of 16 officers.

Mr Dwyer said he had turned down the option of freezing council tax to avoid making further cuts.

Council tax will be increased by 1.99 per cent, or £31.20 a year for a band D property.

Mr Dwyer said: "I was overwhelmed by the support shown by the people I spoke to who said that they did not think that cuts should be applied to policing.

“Unfortunately, these are difficult times for all public sector services and savings must be found.

“I am determined though, that cuts will not come from the front line. I intend to decline the Government’s council tax freeze grant of 1 per cent as it is only builds in further cuts of £1.2m.”

He added that 13 special constables - volunteers who carry out some police work - have been recruited.