Northumbria Police performance in HMIC Value for Money report
19th November 2015
This latest HMIC Value for Money Profiles recognises that Northumbria Police focuses resources on providing the public with a highly visible front-line policing service.
Chief Constable Steve Ashman said: ” Northumbria Police continues to prioritise its resources into front-line neighbourhood and 24/7 policing in order to best serve local communities.
“This approach consistently delivers high levels of confidence in the force arising from the face to face engagement by officers we place in the heart of our communities.
“Our commitment to achieving public satisfaction is reflected in our rating which is the highest in England and Wales and which reinforces our undertaking to focus on helping victims of crime and those who need our support.
“In spite of the financial challenges the force faces we know that the public benefit from having an accessible uniform presence where they live and we are determined to do all we can to maintain this.
“The report also recognises that Northumbria spends much less on back office functions than other forces, this work is regularly reviewed to deliver these services as efficiently as possible.
“The force continues to look at ways we can work in collaboration with other forces and public sector services to keep costs to the minimum while we focus on providing the best policing service possible to our communities here in Northumbria.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “These findings show we continue to invest in operational activity, such as local policing – something which for residents of Northumbria is an absolute priority.
“Keeping officers on the beat is our priority – we have kept back office costs low and continue to strive for savings to reinvest back into policing. Echoing this is the fact that we have the lowest costing Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in England and Wales, saving over £3 million annually compared to the former police authority.
“While we are clearly providing good value for public money, impending cuts mean we face incredibly challenging times ahead, which are certain to impact how we can sustain our current level of policing and deliver effective policing.
“The Home Secretary has a duty to fund our force properly so we can continue to deliver the priorities of the communities of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
“I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable to ensure Northumbria Police explores new, innovative and collaborative ways to improve efficiencies, however, it is essential that next week’s spending review ensures Northumbria Police is funded properly so the force’s good work isn’t jeopardised.”
Connect with us on:
