SOUTH Yorkshire Police Federation has hit back at stinging criticism of the force from the area\u2019s Police and Crime Commissioner, stating the officers it represents \u201chave been set up by the PCC to fail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Fed chairman, said he was \u201creally angered\u201d by the comments from PCC Shaun Wright (pictured) that the force’s performance is “unacceptable” and it \u201cmust do more and do it faster\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles said:\u00a0\u201cWhen morale across the force is at such an all-time low, I would like to know how this statement is designed to motivate my already overworked members.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Friday, Mr Wright issued a statement saying his efforts to shield the force\u2019s frontline from cuts were not producing results and the force\u2019s performance in key areas was \u201cunacceptable\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said this meant it was \u201cfailing to meet the objectives set out in my police and crime plan\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Wright complained that, while crime is down, the rate it is falling at slower the national average and the force is in the bottom five when measured by overall crime per 1,000 residents. For domestic burglary and vehicle offences, the force ranks as the second and third worst performing respectively, he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Wright added: \u201cIt is extremely disappointing and frustrating that other forces continue to perform better.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Mr Bowles hit back: \u201cFor the last 6 years South Yorkshire Police has become more efficient despite losing over 500 officers and nearly the same number of police staff. Those that remain have been working extremely hard for their communities with success at reducing crime and arresting offenders. However what the court does with them then is not within our control.<\/p>\n
\u201cConfidence figures are still high despite the media frenzy over current controversies. Just because crime reduces does not mean less work, we have so many other functions to perform including covering for other services such as Social Services and the National Health Service.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr Wright mentions his financial support for the force, and compares our performance with others. South Yorkshire Police is still one of the worst funded forces in the country when you compare resources per head of the population.\u201d<\/p>\n
As at 31 March this year, there were 2,767 police officers in South Yorkshire Police.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles added: \u201cWhen Mr Wright was first elected as Police and Crime Commissioner, the Federation told him not to set targets as we believe it leads to mismanagement of resources. He did not listen to us and set totally unrealistic ones that have just set us up to fail.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police acknowledged \u201cthe speed of reduction needs to accelerate\u201d, despite crime falling for 24 successive years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aware of the commissioner\u2019s concerns and share his aspiration to continue to drive down crime while operating within ever-reducing budgets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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