THE number of frontline officers could be reduced by 250 over the next two years.

The news comes as Cheshire Police prepares to make further financial savings due to budget pressures.

Since 2010, the force has made more than £60m in cutbacks but Cheshire Constabulary estimates that it will be required by the Government to make a further £12 million of savings in the next two years.

Acting chief constable Janette McCormick is currently assessing the extent of these reductions on services and the impact this would have.

In a joint statement issued by ACC McCormick and police and crime commissioner for Cheshire David Keane, a spokesman said: “Over recent years the constabulary has faced significant financial challenges, despite this almost half of the £60 million savings found since 2010 have been delivered through non-pay budgets, which has meant that Cheshire Constabulary has been able to limit the reduction in police officer, PCSOs and police staff numbers, compared to many other forces.

“According to national figures, there were 135 fewer police officers in March 2018 in Cheshire than there were in March 2010, which equates to a six per cent reduction. 

“Nationally, the reduction in police officer numbers has been 14 per cent, and across the North West, excluding Cheshire, the reduction has been 21 per cent.

“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has assessed the constabulary’s efficiency and financial plans as part of its police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) assessment for each of the past four years and has graded the constabulary as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ every time. 

“Despite this track record, pressures on policing, through reduced budgets and increased demand, are growing to the level that the police and crime commissioner is increasingly concerned as to whether it can maintain the already over-stretched ‘thin blue line’ for much longer.”

Chairman of Warrington Conservatives Paul Campbell has responded to the statement.

He said: “The job of the police and crime commissioner is to set the budget so that Cheshire maintains an effective and efficient police force within the county.

“I’m surprised by these suggestions to cut officer numbers, as the pressures on police budgets are now less than they were in 2012 when Conservative John Dwyer took on the first PCC role.

“Under a Conservatives PCC, the policing precept rise was capped at 2 per cent each year and despite this he was able to return police officer numbers to almost the level they were at in 2010 when austerity measures started.

“He did this by adopting a priority-based budgeting and a root and branch review of Cheshire policing to ensure the service operated efficiently whilst still meeting policing standards and expectations of the community.

“Mr Keane has raised the precept by 7 per cent this year, so should have sufficient funds to maintain current officer levels.

“Sadly, here we have another example of Labour hiking up taxes, charging everyone in Cheshire more and then delivering less.”