450 Job cuts- Northumbria police- UNISON response

22nd November 2010

UNISON, the UK’s leading public sector union, today warned that community safety would suffer, as a result of 450 police staff losing their jobs in Northumbria.

UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

“There is no way the streets of Gateshead, Newcastle, Sunderland and other major towns on Northumbria’s patch can be kept safe with 25% fewer police staff doing their jobs. People in Northumbria are right to be worried about their safety and the safety of their families.

“Police staff do vital work including finger printing, scene of crime, emergency control room operators, and working as detention officers. They play a hugely important role in policing and combating crime.

“We have a commitment from the force to avoid compulsory redundancies, and we will be holding them to it by looking into other ways of saving money, including dipping into the force’s reserves.

“Just last week, 3000 job losses were announced in Greater Manchester Police, and sadly Northumbria will not be the last force to announce cuts. All across the country, forces are drawing up plans for job losses, driven by the coalition’s decision to cut public spending hard and fast.

“There are real alternatives to the cuts that would have allowed funding for the police service, saved jobs, and helped to keep our streets safe. The coalition government should be taking action on tax loopholes, making the bankers pay their fair share towards the recovery, and making taxation fairer.”