London, Aug 12 (IANS) Some police officers in a British country will have to use public transport or resort to walking and cycling while chasing thieves as part of measures to save 15 million pounds in four years.
Leicestershire Police aims to save 175,000 pounds in fuel and maintenance costs next year by slashing the number of its patrol and CID officers’ vehicles from 483 to 443.
Senior officers of the force claim the move will not affect the officers’ ability to respond to emergencies.
But some of the bobbies, who will be left to travel around their beats by bus, bicycle and on foot, have branded the move ‘ludicrous’, Daily Mail reported.
One police constable (PC), who has been with the force for 15 years, said: ‘A lot of officers feel their ability to the job properly is being sacrificed for the bottom line. How are you expected to respond to a 999 call if you have to wait for a bus?’
But Inspector Richard Toone, commander at Leicester’s Welford Road police station, which has had its ten cars cut to nine, backed the decision.
He said: ‘The neighbourhood teams are increasingly using bikes to get around beats and some will travel by bus. The buses pick up or drop off just outside. Drivers and passengers seem to like seeing us.’
He added: I need to go to a lot of meetings in the city centre and I’m finding it’s very convenient to get there by bus.’
Beat officer PC Emma Jayne said that cars were a ‘barrier’. Officers were more able to ‘connect with the public’ when cycling through a neighbourhood.
Superintendent Chris Haward, one of the officers leading the efficiencies programme, said: ‘Leicestershire Constabulary is facing a period of extreme financial pressure, unprecedented in recent times. It is therefore vital that the force considers every opportunity to make cost-effective use of its resources.’
The patrol car cuts follow plans by the force, which has an annual budget of 180 million pounds, to cut about 150 civilian posts.
