Theresa May warns police: You've still got budget cuts ahead

Police forces will still be expected to make cuts to their budgets despite George Osborne's apparent reprieve last month, Theresa May has warned.

Mr Osborne unexpectedly ruled out fresh cuts to the police budget in the Autumn Statement due to the ongoing terror threat.

But in a speech to chief constables and police crime commissioners (PCCs) on Tuesday, Mrs May will tell senior officers that they will not be "let off the hook" and will still be required to make savings.

  • What is Mrs May due to say?

Police forces have been warned to expect more cuts. Credit: PA Wire

She will say police forces need to "redouble our efforts" and "force a more urgent pace" to bring about reform.

  • Mrs May's relationship with the police - a frosty one?

May during a speech at the Police Superintendents' annual conference. Credit: PA Wire

Most definitely.

Since becoming home secretary, Theresa May has been involved in a war of words with police forces across the country.

She was heckled and booed in 2012 when she told officers at the Police Federation conference they should stop pretending the police were being picked on.

In May this year, she also accused officers of "crying wolf" and "scaremongering" over the impact of austerity.

This latest statement is unlikely to repair their already fractious relationship.