Police cuts postponed after funding boost

Officials said plans to cut jobs at Lincolnshire Police would be delayed after a funding agreement was reached with the government

Planned cuts at Lincolnshire Police have been delayed following a new government funding agreement, the force has confirmed.

Officials had previously warned 400 staff and officers could be cut by 2028 due to a £14m budget gap.

Under the new agreement, the government will provide £5.7m in special grants and upfront payments.

Marc Jones, the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said the development was "welcome news" but said more work was needed to address long-term funding.

Jones added: "This package is certainly going to stave off the worst of the cuts in the short-term and give the chief constable and I more time to address the long-term funding issues.

"This package is exceptionally positive but there is still much work to be done to ensure Lincolnshire Police is providing the most effective service possible for the funding we do have available.

"I would not want the public misled into thinking this matter is resolved or that the latest government announcement on 'additional' neighbourhood policing will change anything for us – it won't."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Chief Constable Paul Gibson will halt plans for redundancies and talks on the force's financial future will continue after the government's spending review.

Mr Gibson said: "I am pleased that the Policing Minister [Diane Johnson] has acknowledged our challenging and unique position and has agreed an initial financial support package.

"It remains our ambition to secure a long-term, sustainable agreement that addresses our chronic underfunding. There is more work to do."

In August, the PCC launched a judicial review against the Home Office over the way it calculates how much money is allocated to police forces.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.