Thames Valley Police is “well placed” to handle its significant budget cuts, according to a report released yesterday.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspected all 43 police forces in the UK to see how they were planning to meet financial challenges.
Thames Valley is facing a £52.9m cut to its budget over four years, which is about 11 per cent of its revenue spending.
The report found: “The force and authority have been planning for the cuts for some time.
“They are well placed to build on a strong history of delivering against efficiency plans.”
It added: “Thames Valley has developed a good savings plan aimed at delivering significant savings.”
In a meeting with Oxford City Council in April, Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure the crime reduction we have had in Oxford city is maintained, that is all I can promise people.”
Thames Valley Police Authority chairman Khan Juna last night said: “We know the importance our communities place on visible policing, that’s why we have protected frontline patrol and neighbourhood policing services.”
From March 2010 to March 2015, the force has planned its officers will drop from 4,434 to 4,034, staff from 3,000 to 2,541 and PCSOs from 500 to 453.
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