Surrey Police praised by independent body for their value for money (From Your Local Guardian)

Surrey Police praised by independent body for their value for money

7:10am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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Surrey Police has been praised in an independent report for their value for money after saving £92m in five years.

Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary (HMIC) used the force as a case study on how to make cuts without compromising services to the public.

Chief Constable Mark Rowley, head of Surrey Police, was the first in Britain to take legal action against the Government last year over a budget row which forced him to axe staff.

He 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 HMIC’s report looked in detail at police forces’ spending across the country.

It said Surrey Police had adapted to increasing budget pressures while maintaining a public confidence rating of 64 per cent - the highest in the country - compared to a 61 per cent average for similar forces.

The former North Surrey division saved £10.6m by introducing civilian staff into the CID, which allowed officers to spend less time at their desks, leading to public satisfaction increasing from 78 per cent to 81 per cent between September 2008 and September 2009.

Surrey Police plans to roll out the new structure across the county in November, and expects to save £3m next year.

The force axed 78 staff from its human resources department as part of a radical programme of cuts in 2007, which is due to save £2.2m.

Fifty senior officers, between the ranks of Inspector and Chief Superintendent, will also be slashed this year to make way for up to 200 extra frontline officers.

Chief Constable Rowley said: “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.”

To see the report, visit http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/communitysafety