Police face cuts in cash squeeze

Police forces have warned Ministers they may have to cut officer numbers because of a squeeze on funding, reports the Yorkshire Post.

A document prepared by the Association of Chief Police Officers and Association of Police Authorities says that Treasury-imposed budget curbs could have a "significant impact" on local policing.

The Police Federation, representing more than 140,000 officers, says that growing demands on the service to provide high visibility policing and combat anti-social behaviour mean forces need a five percent a year increase in funding simply to stand still.

Chairman Jan Berry told Sky News: "We’re having enough trouble at the moment keeping our head above water."

Yet the Home Office will only receive a funding increase of 2.7% a year between 2008 and 2011.