Number of county cops is branded 'ridiculous'

LEADER OF COUNTY COUNCIL SERVED WITH METROPOLITAN POLICE

- BY JAMIE WALLER Local Democracy Reporter

THE leader of Lincolnshire County Council said he finds it hard to believe how few police officers are on the beat in the county. The force, which is among the worst funded in the country, is “staring down the barrel” of potential severe job cuts later this year.

Lincolnshire currently has 1,186 officers, which the chief constable says is 300 short of the ideal number.

New Reform leader Councillor Sean Matthews, who served in the Metropolitan Police for 26 years, has joined the committee which scrutinises the force’s leaders.

At the first meeting on Friday, June 6, he expressed disbelief at their financial situation.