Essex Police could face more redundancies due to funding shortfall
The crime commissioner is warning of a £14 million deficit by 2026/27.
Essex Police may be forced to impose further redundancies unless the Government provides additional funding for its recruitment drive, according to Roger Hirst, Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
Mr Hirst highlighted that Essex Police might face a £14 million deficit in the 2026/27 budget if the precept included in council tax payments is increased by only 2.5 per cent.
One proposed scenario includes raising the precept by £14, equivalent to a 5.36 per cent increase. While this would reduce the deficit to £9.2 million, it would still require staff cuts to bridge the gap.
Hirst cautioned that the financial situation hinges on upcoming Government decisions, which are expected by mid-December. The Government's commitment to add 13,000 police officers, constables, and specials by the end of the parliamentary term could lead to what Mr Hirst described as "unfunded pressure."
He explained that Essex Police has already reduced backroom staff this year, with 65 redundancies following the closure of front desks at four locations across the county.
Mr Hirst said: “It looks like we’re going to be really squeezed, and that’s where you get the worst case deficit from. Which makes it look like we’re really going to have to struggle and find quite substantial savings from elsewhere.
“The question I have to answer is if I do that should I be doing the maximum on council tax to make sure we have the maximum number of people or is that the government creating a problem for us and if we’re going to have to make cuts, we may as well make cuts and I need to make sure the council tax isn’t increased by more than inflation.”
Even the maximum possible increase to the precept would still leave Essex Police with a shortfall, Mr Hirst warned.
“It wouldn’t cover all of that gap. That’s the point. I’d be raising the council tax and still making police staff redundant. I hope we don’t end up there. There is still plenty of negotiation to be done before the middle of December.
“It depends on what is being asked of us. If they are asking us to hire more police officers, but are not fully funding it, we end up with that deficit and having to make savings elsewhere.”
Earlier this year, Essex Police secured £2.3 million in extra Government funding, which saved 99 police community support officer (PCSO) roles. However, 65 backroom staff roles were cut, and 74 officers were shifted into neighbourhood teams.