DERBYSHIRE: Force hailed for cutting crime in tough times

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said that the force, which needs to save £21.7m between 2011 and 2015 as part of Government cuts, had made “sound progress in reducing its costs”, already identifying savings of £18m.

Despite the cuts, the HMIC study found that recorded crime in Derbyshire had fallen by 21 per cent over the past two years.

The report said this was one of the highest reductions in crime in England and Wales and added: “Derbyshire Constabulary has been able to make savings without having a detrimental effect on the service it provides to the public.”

Alan Charles, Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, welcomed the study but voiced concern about further cuts.

He said: “I’m pleased that HMIC has recognised the work that has been carried out to date and the progress that has been made.

“But last month the Chancellor said that the force will need to find approximately a further £10m in savings by 2015 to 2016.

“To put it bluntly, you can’t keep taking money out of the system without consequence and we are already seeing early indications that these continual funding cuts may be having a negative impact on performance. We will do everything we can to avoid this, but we have to be realistic.”