West Midlands Police to cut 2,500 more jobs

[dutchman]

Britain's second biggest police force plans to lose more than 2,500 jobs by cutting neighbourhood officers and introducing "self-service" policing.



West Midlands Police outlined the measures as part of its efforts to save £130m in the next four years.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said the changes would help it become a "smaller, faster, smarter service".

But unions said Mr Sims had "lost touch" if he thought "virtual policing" could replace bobbies on the beat.

The force said it was facing "unprecedented financial challenges". It said it needs to save £130m over the next four years, on top of £125m already cut.

It has already said 27 of its 41 front desks are to close.

In the "Blueprint" document, it set out how it believes it will operate by 2020.

The force said 83% of its costs are spent on staffing. It has already shed 2,000 staff over the past four years.

It plans to change the current neighbourhood policing model, which involves 10 local policing units, into "mission-led teams" which will operate across geographical boundaries. The force said it will focus resources, "on areas of most need".

Mr Sims said: "We are currently at a point where budgets for policing... are retracting at a level never seen before.

"We need to respond to and reflect those changes - becoming a smaller, faster, smarter service.

"Although this blueprint has been accelerated by the austerity cuts, it is something we would have done in any event."

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "We are doing all we can to ensure we can deliver what the public needs."

Unite regional officer Caren Evans said Mr Sims had, "lost touch with the public he serves, if he thinks virtual policing can replace bobbies on the beat, who work tirelessly with the communities they serve".

"The public will have no faith in the 'self-service' digital policing model being foisted on them because of budget cuts," she added.

"It beggars belief that the government's heavy-handed cuts are forcing police forces into such drastic and frankly terrifying measures."

She called for "urgent action" to stop police budget cuts.

[rebbonk]

There is nothing that beats boots on the ground when it comes to policing.

This idea will see crime rates rise; unless the crime is deemed serious the victims will not even see a police officer. We are heading into a lawless society (for most of us at the bottom of the pile), unless you're a politician who must be looked after and protected at all costs.

Welcome to police state GB 2015