Money-saving cuts spell the end of neighbourhood policing

THE cuts being brought in by Essex Police to save £63 million over the next three years could lead to the end of neighbourhood policing, the chairman of Essex Police Federation has said.

Mark Smith said claims that the front line is being protected from the cuts are not correct, adding that 73 warranted officers – 57 PCs and 15 sergeants – are being moved out of the Essex’s 10 new community policing teams.

Mr Smith added: “I think it’s quite clear to see that the front line isn’t protected. The PCSOs that are working in the neighbourhoods are frontline policing and so are the police officers that are going to be moved away from that area.

“We have been saying since the beginning of the year that cuts have consequences and we can clearly see now – and I think the public can clearly see – that these are the consequences.

“We’re losing neighbourhood policing. I think that’s quite clear to see. There are people far higher than me who are saying that neighbourhood policing in this country has been affected.

“There are concerns – and I share those concerns – about the information and the intelligence that we get from our communities. Whether that is on local issues or local problems, or counter-terrorism. We get this information from our communities and we seem to be having to pull back from community policing.”

Mr Smith said the loss of 700 officers since 2010 – with a potential further 600 to go – means that there will simply not be enough officers to patrol.

And he warned that the force risks becoming response-only, with no officers out in the community except when they are dealing with emergencies.

He said: “We’re turning into a response-only type of policing who respond to the 999 calls for threat, harm and risk but you’re not going to see police officers in between. We will turn up, deal, and then move onto the next job.

“You’re not going to see police officers in the community and on the high streets. Whether that’s just for the feelgood factor – for the public to feel safe – that luxury has gone because feeling safe and being safe are two different things.

“Do I think neighbourhood police officers walking the beat can be used in a better way? Yes I think they probably can. But neighbourhood police officers being on the high street at 11pm on a Friday and Saturday is a good use of resources because it’s going to deter criminals and make people feel safer and actually be safer.”