News Item - News - Surrey Police

Report recognises Surrey Police’s value for money

Submitted: 27/07/2010 10:18:50

Top value policing

As Force budget cuts continue to dominate the headlines, Surrey Police’s commitment to providing top value policing has been recognised in an independent report.

The report, issued by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary (HMIC), takes a detailed look at police expenditure nationwide and identifies Surrey as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to saving money.

It is one of a handful of forces to feature in the document as a case study for best practice, earning recognition for achieving savings of £92 million over five years, without compromising its service to the public.

Chief Constable Mark Rowley said: “Police forces countrywide are facing up to the challenges of providing good quality policing on an ever-shrinking budget. In light of the national situation, I am proud that Surrey Police has been highlighted as an example of how some of these challenges can be met.”

The report cites a number of examples of how the Force has adapted to increasing budget pressures while maintaining a public confidence rating of 64% - the highest in the country - compared to a 61% average for similar forces.

In the former North Surrey division £10.6 million was saved by introducing civilian staff into CID to carry out tasks not needing a fully warranted officer, enabling them to spend less lime at their desks and more time on the frontline, contributing to an increase in public satisfaction from 78% to 81% between September 2008 and September 2009.

The success of the new structure pilot means it will be rolled out countywide from November this year, and is expected to save £3 million in 2011/12.

In 2007 the Force announced a radical programme of reform, designed to strip back staff numbers and increase efficiency. Seventy-eight posts were cut from the Human Resources department alone, leading to an expected annual saving of £2.2 million from 2010/11.

This year, as part of the changes, it was announced that 50 senior officer posts are to be slashed, from Inspector to Chief Superintendent, to make way for up to 200 extra frontline officers.

Chief Constable Rowley added: “Our successes have not come without some very difficult decisions but the tough measures outlined in this report emphasise our commitment to providing the best possible value for money to the Surrey taxpayer.”

The report, compiled by HMIC, the Audit Commission and the Wales Audit Office, entitled ‘Sustaining Value for Money in the Police Service,’ can be viewed at http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/communitysafety

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