RESPONSE TO BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said: “From a policing perspective this budget could have grave consequences for police forces. With the announcement of increased spending in the NHS and on Defence and Security the majority of these cuts in spending will fall to police forces and local government organisations to bear the brunt of the savings.

“Over the last five years we have made significant savings and some tough decisions in order to balance our budget.  Over the coming weeks and months we will continue to work with the force to minimise the impact both for the public and for our staff, but we are going to have to face some very tough decisions in order to provide a police service that will meet the demands that we face.”