Suffolk Police announce major cuts: What's been proposed?

  • Anglia
Suffolk Police will make a series of cuts over the next five years. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Suffolk Police has announced that it will make a series of cuts as it aims to save £20.5 million over the next five years.

More than 250 members of staff are 'at risk' of redundancy and only three police stations in the entire county will have manned front desks.

The developments have come despite Chancellor George Osborne abandoning plans to cut police budgets.

Some of the key changes

  • The number of PCSOs will be reduced from 166 to 98 (a difference of 68)

  • 15 police stations to have their front desks closed

  • Only three police stations to have manned front desks (Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft)

  • Number of Safer Neighbourhood teams to be cut from 29 to 18

What the temporary Chief Constable is saying

Gareth Wilson says that the force have tried to keep as many PSCOs as possible. Credit: ITV News Anglia

What are the unions are saying

Mark Trask from UNISON believes the changes will have a negative impact. Credit: ITV News Anglia

What the local Police Federation is saying

Mick Richardson (right) from the Suffolk Police Federation thinks the PCSOs will be a big loss. Credit: ITV News Anglia

What the county's Police and Crime Commissioner is saying

Tim Passmore has moved to reassure people that help will still be readily available. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Serena Sandhu