The government wants to give greater freedom to forces to decide how to allocate their funds Police forces in England and Wales face cuts in central funding in the next two years of 4% then 5%, the government has announced.
Policing minister Nick Herbert said the cuts would be “challenging” but the savings were possible “while protecting the front-line” police services.
Central funding will fall to £9.3bn in 2011-12, then £8.8bn the year after.
The minister announced separate funds for counter-terrorism, and until 2013 for neighbourhood policing.
Mr Herbert said the government would “play its part” in helping to achieve savings “through continuing work with authorities and forces on value for money”.
This work would cover “more effective procurement at national level, greater collaboration between force and other partners”, he said.
They would also work to remove “unnecessary bureaucracy which adds costs and impedes a sharp focus on front-line policing”, the minister said.
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