Lincolnshire Police ‘closer than ever’ to bankruptcy warning
Emergency reserves used to avoid 400 job losses but force faces deeper crisis next year.
Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner says the force is “closer than ever” to declaring bankruptcy after being forced to dip into its emergency reserves.
Leaders have decided to use the money set aside for next year’s budget rather than allow up to 200 officers and 200 staff to lose their jobs.
But the move leaves the county’s police service in a precarious position for the next financial year and waiting on emergency support from the Government. Without that help, even more severe cuts would need to be made.
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said the only alternative would have been to let the law enforcement service “wither on the vine”.
“Talks are progressing well with the Government and we are still incredibly hopeful that officials and ministers see the problems caused by generations of underfunding for Lincolnshire Police,” he said.
“While those talks continue, myself and the Chief were faced with some extremely tough decisions. We have allowed vacancies to remain unfilled and not replaced people who have retired, relocated or left.
“While that has allowed us to make savings, it has become obvious that this has put front-line services under considerable strain. As a result, I have taken the decision to stop further job losses and recruit much-needed staff.
“This does not mean our financial worries are not as critical or significant as before, in fact it means the problems only deepen for next year. Getting support from the government is now even more important.”
Chief Constable Paul Gibson said cutting officers to balance the budget would “not allow the delivery of adequate services to the public of Lincolnshire.”
Lincolnshire MPs have repeatedly written to the Home Office asking for urgent action, warning it’s “not a political issue, it’s a matter of public safety”.
The force’s next budget will be the third financial cliff edge it has faced in the last year. The Government provided a short-term £5 million boost last year, but long-term funding remains uncertain.