PLANS to cut £31m from the Humberside Police budget have been backed by councillors.
Humberside Police Chief Constable Justine Curran told members of the police and crime panel her proposals to transform the force – including cutting 200 officers and 500 staff – were necessary to meet budget cuts.
However, she said the force needed to change regardless of the financial constraints.
Following Ms Curran's presentation, six members supported the plans, which will come into effect in April, and one was undecided.
Hull City Councillor Sean Chaytor, vice- chairman of the panel, said: "The proposals are sensible when we take into account the financial restraints.
"Clearly, we do not want cuts in policing because the community in Hull, and other areas of the Humber region, desperately want the police to provide them with an effective service.
"Justine Curran and Matthew Grove are clearly determined to make sure the public get the service they deserve and we must remember they are being told to make such huge cuts. There is no choice in the matter.
"But the proof is in the eating.
"We know effective policing is absolutely vital and time will tell on the proposals."
Ms Curran's plans also involve victims of lower-level crime having to book appointments to see officers and an increase in shifts for officers.
Cllr Chaytor said he does have concerns over how the force will cope in cases of widespread sickness.
"With so many redundancies being made, my only concern is how much the force will be stretched during times of sickness," he said.
"Policing is a physically and mentally demanding job – like no other, in some respects.
"Officers face being injured in heated arrests and they are out in all weather, which can make them more prone to illness.
"So, with increased shifts in an already demanding job, I am concerned about the level of policing when a large number of officers are off sick."
East Riding councillors have written to the Government to express concern about the potential impact of the changes on policing in rural areas.
They fear police stations in towns and villages across the East Riding may close.
Members of the panel quizzed Ms Curran and Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove on whether there were any plans to close police stations.
Mr Grove said: "There are absolutely no plans to do this yet.
"There seems to be this belief among some people that we will shut stations in the communities, but this is not the case.
"The one thing I get told more than anything else is that they value neighbourhood policing.
"Ironically, the one thing we do not need to provide by statute is neighbourhood policing. But we absolutely will do."
The force has had to slash £61m since 2010 – 39 per cent of its overall budget.
Ms Curran told the panel she was confident the service would be a better one, despite the cuts.
She said: "There was a compelling need for change – not just because of the financial restraints.
"Previously, we had the same amount of officers on duty at 7am as we did at 7pm, yet we are four times busier during the evening.
"And we process most prisoners at weekends, when we have 60 per cent less staff.
"Some of it just did not make sense.
"During times of austerity, I firmly believe we have produced the best strategy possible for the people of Humberside.
"But of course there is only one way to find out and that is when the changes come into effect in April."
Panel chairman Jonathan Evison, a North Lincolnshire councillor, said he supported the changes. He said: "I am certainly someone who thinks the changes are sensible.
"It is clear why we have to make cuts and I support the changes.
"But the proof is in the pudding."
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