Leicestershire: New police boss's concern for unsustainable budget

Mr Nixon said he was "very worried" a police pay rise would leave a £17m hole in the force's budget

The new boss of Leicestershire Police has said he fears the force's policing plan is now financially "unsustainable".

Rob Nixon was named as chief constable last week after carrying out the role on a temporary basis since March.

He said his first challenges were to modernise the force's technology, fund pay rises and strengthen wellbeing care for staff under pressure.

The pay award would leave a £17m hole in the budget, he said.

Mr Nixon said he was "very worried" about the cost of leading the force.

"I've gone from a fairly sustainable position to what will be a unsustainable position," he said.

With the financial squeeze also being felt in the community, Mr Nixon said he was expecting a rise in some crimes.

"There will be an element of crime that people try to exploit other people that are suffering because of the cost of living crisis," he said.

Mr Nixon said social media played a role in the unrest in the city earlier this year

Mr Nixon also said work was still ongoing to identify and arrest some of those suspected of being involved in unrest in the city earlier this year.

He said: "One of the things I found very disturbing was social media and misinformation you could argue was taking place on all sides.

"[It was] hugely damaging because the speed of it and the volume of it, it caused a lot of fear and anxiety.

"I think one of the biggest achievements was trying to get ahead of the misinformation."

Simon Cole was found dead at his home in Leicestershire on 30 March

Mr Nixon also paid tribute to his predecessor Simon Cole, who took his own life days after retiring.

Rob Nixon said he was "devastated" to lose someone he considered a friend, as were others on the force.

"I told them to channel that emotion into serving the public, to honour his memory and his legacy.

"I think if he was looking down on that he'd think it was a nice thing to do," he said.