'Tough decisions will have to be made' warns police chief over force spending

CONCERNS have been raised that the Government's spending commitments will not provide Essex Police with the cash it needs for additional officers.

- By MATT LEE

Essex's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said the Chancellor's spending review was "disappointing" for the county and said the new settlement would "not provide additional officers" needed for the county's Safer Streets Mission.

Rachel Reeves announced an increase in NHS spending in England while other areas of public expenditure are to be squeezed. The Home Office is one of a number of areas in line for real-terms cuts in day-to-day spending.

Mr Hirst said: "The Comprehensive Spending Review has proved disappointing.

"Working these figures through for Essex Police, this settlement does not fully cover our existing projected deficit and the likely pay settlement for the current year.