Fears Up To 180 Police Officers Could Be Lost

It’s feared as many as 180 police officers could be lost in Leicestershire, if a controversial new Government pensions policy goes ahead.

Chief Constable Simon Cole says it would leave the force with an unexpected £8m bill over the next two years.

He fears he won’t be able to find that money without further reducing officer numbers – the worst case scenario would be one in 10 lost.

The Government says forces must increase the annual sums they pay into officers’ pension pots from next April.

Leicestershire Police has already lost 500 as a result of public spending cuts since 2010.

Mr Cole and the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner have called an urgent meeting with county MPs to discuss the matter.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are working closely with forces to understand the impact this change will have and are in discussions with police leaders about mitigating the impact on the front line.

“The Government is committed to continuing to ensure that the police have the resources they need to do their vital work and the Home Secretary has been clear that he will prioritise police funding.”