Maintaining police staff numbers 'a real priority'

MAINTAINING police officer and staff numbers in spite of budget pressures is a top priority for Humberside Police's new Chief Constable.

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Chris Todd took over heading the region's police force from temporary Chief Constable Judi Heaton QPM seven weeks ago. He spoke to Grimsby Live about recently-revealed reduced crime figures for the force area, its priorities for the year ahead, and how technology is changing policing.

"A priority for me is maintaining our police officer and staff numbers," Chief Constable Todd said. He noted efficiency savings will need to be made over the next couple of years "in order to balance our budget" to achieve maintaining numbers.

He also emphasised the significance of 38 new neighbourhood police officer and police community support officer (PCSO) roles coming in. He expected a large number in place by this summer.

Humberside Police's new head pointed to having the right team as among three factors helping produce reduced regional crime figures in 2024. "We need to maintain numbers across police officer and police staff areas."

"Across the country at the moment, you'll see pressures in policing," Chief Constable Todd said. Officer number commitments by Governments lately came with caveats. "If you're unable to address those, then it's difficult to sustain those numbers.