Cutting the Police budget

Much has been said about budget cuts and how these will translate to cuts in front line services. It's an emotive subject - especially when it comes down to policing.

Which is why I was heartened the other day to listen to an interview on the BBC with a Yorkshire Chief Constable. He seems to think that cutting the budget by 12% would make no difference at all to the copper out there on the streets.

He went on to display admirable common sense by explain that we should be looking at rationalising thinks like HR services. Each service has it's own. Perhaps we could combine some or all of them?

He further explained that it is bad practice to used trained police officers in behind the scenes jobs that can be done by civilian staff. All good stuff...

But where will we get the rest of the savings from? Well, let's not forget the bonfire of stupid New Labour laws that the police and courts currenty have to deal with. By the time we have got rid of those, the load should be lightened a fair bit.

And then there's the paperwork. Simplifying that should even things out a bit too. Is 25% still looking unreasonable when you think about it?

No-one wants to see less coppers on the street - but I bet we'd all like to see less of them off the streets filling in forms?