Police force looks to make staff cuts to save money

PCC John Campion issued a joint statement with Chief Constable Richard Cooper

The police force which serves Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire plans to make staff cuts to save money.

West Mercia Police and the office of the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said they had "had to make significant savings and improve efficiencies".

Police officer numbers will not be affected but other staff will be asked if they want to reduce their hours or resign.

A joint statement said: "We believe these measures, along with a police staff recruitment freeze, will help stabilise our financial position."

It added that they had already made a number of redundancies in non-police officer roles which had "helped achieve crucial savings" but more was needed.

Staff who resign from either organisation will be receive a lump-sum payment.

Neither the police force, or the office of the PCC, have said how many positions will be affected or how much money they aim to save.

In January, the West Mercia PCC, John Campion, warned up to 150 staff jobs could go to balance the books.