The Police Authority has agreed the maximum possible at 5% increase in their budget.

The Police Authority has agreed the maximum possible at 5% increase in their budget. Their budget is small, pensions have to come out of running costs, govt targets dictate priorities and resources of a small force can be heavily stretched in tackling regional crime. I have called for an acceptable minimum to be agreed and ring-fenced, but this has not been forthcoming from Chief Inspector, Tony Lake. Instead the best we can do is for LCC to fund Community Police Support Officers which will be allocated to particular geographic areas, seven for NK. These will be ring-fenced and work in teams with a police officer and special constable, if the latter is available. This is in addition to the Anti-social behaviour teams at NKDC. The Police are short of funds this year and next and this is very worrying for us, especially as they go regional after April. It is important to report all crime, as the distribution of police staffing is based on this.