£500,000 lifeline for frontline police

Apr 18 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

CIVIC bosses yesterday agreed to give cash-strapped police an extra half a million pounds to avoid cuts to frontline services.

Durham Police had to set a reduced budget to avoid council tax capping, so asked Durham County Council for £500,000 to avoid having to make cuts.

The County Council Cabinet yesterday agreed the “one-off” payment, despite Nigel Martin, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, warning that the payment was “poor economics.”

Two months ago, the Durham Police Authority agreed a 4.97% increase in its share of the council tax to keep beneath the 5% ceiling set by the Government.

Last year, the authority levied a huge 34.65% increase in its share of the council tax bill -– despite a 5% limit – saying there would be big cuts in frontline policing without it. The Government took no action.

Police authority chairman Peter Thompson said that the £500,000 would “safeguard jobs, frontline policing.” He added that dealing with crime was not only a job for the police, but other authorities.

In agreeing the payment, which he insisted was a “one-off,” council leader Albert Nugent said: “People are concerned about the yob culture in County Durham, and we don’t want a reduction in police resources.”

Stuart Crowe, the county council’s treasurer, added: “A regular concern of residents in County Durham is a fear of crime, even though generally crime levels are low. Those consulted on the county council’s budget also expressed a view that the county council should make a contribution to reducing the fear of crime and deal with anti-social behaviour.”

But Coun Martin argued unsuccessfully: “If we plug the hole this year then there will be an even bigger one next year. It is poor economics.”