MPs call for help over police 'bankruptcy' fears

A close-up of the side of a police car, which is coloured white with blue and yellow panels, a Lincolnshire Police logo and the word "police" written in large capital letters. Image source, PA Media
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Seven Lincolnshire MPs have called for an urgent meeting with the Home Office regarding their county police force's finances

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Seven MPs have written to the Home Office to share "bankruptcy concerns" over the financial situation of Lincolnshire Police.

The letter states the force is at risk of having to issue a Section 114 notice, which would mean it may have to declare itself effectively bankrupt.

Without additional support, the MPs said it would result in planning for a reduction of 190 police officers and 180 police staff from October.

The Home Office has been approached for comment but previously told the BBC it had increased the force's budget to £174.5m - a rise of 6.2%.

In the letter, the MPs called for an urgent meeting with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to "discuss how the matter could be resolved".

The findings came from independent experts at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the letter detailed.

CIPFA accessed the force's efficiency and warned that "without additional support or fundamental change in funding arrangements, the force is at risk of having to issue a Section 114 notice".

The MPs said this would "mark the first time a police force has ever been forced to do so".

It added that this would leave "communities in Lincolnshire unpoliced and unsafe".

The letter was signed by Dr Caroline Johnson, Sir John Hayes, Sir Edward Leigh, Victoria Atkins, Gareth Davies, Alicia Kearns and Richard Tice.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Lincolnshire has been approached for comment.

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