York: Police cuts 'could be devastating'

The chief constable of North Yorkshire Police has described possible cuts to the force's budget as "potentially devastating" - reports the BBC.

The government is considering changing the way in which grant funding to police authorities is calculated.

North Yorkshire Police said its budget could be cut by £10m - jeopardising jobs - if the changes went ahead.

Grahame Maxwell said the move could ruin his force's "relatively stable financial footing".

North Yorkshire Police currently receives £73m a year from central government, 58% of its total funding.

Mr Maxwell said: "These changes could be devastating for North Yorkshire Police if they were brought in and would certainly impact on the level of service we could deliver to people in North Yorkshire and York.

"Our current financial plans show that we are in any event facing a £5m budgetary gap next year, which we are planning to manage through a stringent analysis of all areas of service.

"However, any further reductions in grant will put real pressure on our ability to continue to develop safer neighbourhoods - if indeed we can sustain existing levels, which is doubtful - and will certainly preclude any further investment in protective services."

Jane Kenyon, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police Authority, said she concurred with Mr Maxwell's view and would be seeking urgent talks with the Home Secretary and North Yorkshire's MPs.

The Home Office's consultation exercise on policing funding formula is expected to be completed at the end of October, with an announcement on the findings due in November.