BUDGET cuts have led policing on a downward spiral, South Yorkshire Police Federation has warned.<\/p>\n
With no mention of extra cash for policing in the Budget on 22 November, forces will continue facing further budget cuts and a shrinking workforce.<\/p>\n
NPCC Chair Sara Thornton had spoken out before the Budget, describing the police service\u2019s current financial position as \u201cunsustainable\u201d and calling for more Government money for forces.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Zuleika Payne said it was \u201creassuring\u201d that Ms Thornton had spoken out, but said forces still faced a difficult future.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWhen you start to cut a budget, it becomes difficult to function and then because it\u2019s difficult to function you then struggle to be efficient, it feels like a downward spiral.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s reassuring that CC Thornton has actually spoken out in this way as a senior officer. This isn\u2019t just a case of forces up and down the country having a moan, this is a really serious issue. To have somebody in the position that Sara Thornton holds to actually speak out on our behalf, is a step in the right direction because that\u2019s the stark reality of the position we find ourselves in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be a financial expert to understand that when significant amounts of money have been taken from policing, it\u2019s inevitable that the service delivery is affected. It\u2019s difficult to come up with sustainable solutions without having the finances behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n