Frontline policing pledge

Jun 26 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

POLICE chiefs in the North have pledged that frontline services will not be affected by the soaring cost of fuel, which is costing them tens of thousands of pounds extra this year.

Reports at the weekend suggested emergency services were having to make cutbacks or shelve recruitment campaigns to cope with the recent huge increases in fuel prices.

But both Northumbria and Durham forces insisted that while they were looking at ways of finding more energy-efficient motoring, they had no plans to cut frontline policing.

Durham’s fuel bill increase this year equates approximately to the amount the force would pay out in salaries to three police constables.

Assistant Chief Constable of Durham Mike Barton said that although the force would have to look for savings in the current budget, the number of officers available to deal with core issues would not change.

He added: “The rise in fuel prices obviously puts an added pressure on our finances, but I can assure the residents of County Durham and Darlington that frontline policing will not be affected.

“In common with many other organisations we have to make savings, such as switching from petrol cars to diesel which give us more miles per gallon.

“The number of officers on core duties will not be affected and there are no plans to halt recruitment of either police officers or staff.”

Durham’s fleet of 430 vehicles travels around nine million miles each year and the budget allocated to cover fuel has been set for the current financial year at £995,000 – an increase of 7.5% or £74,000 – over the previous year.

The extra amount the force is having to fork out is roughly the annual salaries of three police constables.

But the force has been aiming to keep costs down by investing in newer, more efficient vehicles which give around 10 more miles per gallon and are more environmentally friendly, with lower CO2 emissions.

Both Northumbria and Durham obtain fuel at a slightly discounted price from suppliers as they buy in bulk.

Steve Culkin, Northumbria’s director of finance and resources, stressed that the force had made no plans to cut any essential services in the light of increased fuel costs.

He added that they were looking at ways to improve energy efficiency.

The rise in fuel prices puts an added pressure on finances, but frontline policing will not be affected