Number of PSNI recruits reduced following £60m cut in police budget

Chief Constable George Hamilton has said a cut in the budget means less police officers will be recruited

Chief Constable George Hamilton has confirmed that a budget cut of around £60m will mean a reduction in the recruitment of new police officers.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will now recruit 270 fewer than initially planned. They will now recruit 100 officers.

The service has already closed more than 300 temporary agency posts.

Mr Hamilton said cuts to the PSNI budget would "fundamentally change how and where policing is delivered".