Cheshire police getting better despite cutbacks

Dec 15 2011 Chester Chronicle

POLICE performance in Cheshire is continuing to improve, despite extensive savings to meet the Government budget cuts.

Members of Cheshire Police Authority were told the number of recorded crimes between April and September this year is down more than 10% on last year's figures from 33,777 to 30,305.

This includes a reduction of nearly 17% in crimes of violence resulting in injury and a 14% drop in the number of serious acquisitive crimes, including robbery, domestic burglary and vehicle crime.

The Coalition Government ordered the Police Authority to save £11.1m on the budget for the current financial year and make savings currently forecast at more than £32m over a four-year period.

Margaret Ollerenshaw, chairman of Cheshire Police Authority, said: “Planning for the reduction in spending began last year and the constabulary is on course to achieve the savings required for 2011/12.

“Despite resourcing reductions, the improvements in performance continue. This is due to improvements in the way we work and a focus on what matters to the public.”