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West Midlands Police 'self-service policing plan' for cuts West Midlands Police 'self-service policing plan' for cuts
(about 2 hours later)
Britain's second biggest police force plans to lose more than 2,500 jobs by cutting neighbourhood officers and introducing "self-service" policing.Britain's second biggest police force plans to lose more than 2,500 jobs by cutting neighbourhood officers and introducing "self-service" policing.
West Midlands Police outlined the measures as part of its efforts to save £130m in the next four years.West Midlands Police outlined the measures as part of its efforts to save £130m in the next four years.
Chief Constable Chris Sims said the changes would help it become a "smaller, faster, smarter service".Chief Constable Chris Sims said the changes would help it become a "smaller, faster, smarter service".
But unions said Mr Sims had "lost touch" if he thought "virtual policing" could replace bobbies on the beat.But unions said Mr Sims had "lost touch" if he thought "virtual policing" could replace bobbies on the beat.
'Frankly terrifying''Frankly terrifying'
The force said it was facing "unprecedented financial challenges". It said it needs to save £130m over the next four years, on top of £125m already cut.The force said it was facing "unprecedented financial challenges". It said it needs to save £130m over the next four years, on top of £125m already cut.
It has already said 27 of its 41 front desks are to close.It has already said 27 of its 41 front desks are to close.
In the "Blueprint" document, it set out how it believes the force will operate by 2020. In the "Blueprint" document, it set out how it believes it will operate by 2020.
The plans include an expansion of digital technology, "empowering victims and witnesses to self-serve... on how they report and track incidents". The force said 83% of its costs are spent on staffing. It has already shed 2,000 staff over the past four years.
This will include the ability for the public to track crime reports online. What is "self-service policing"?
Where are the cuts coming? It plans to change the current neighbourhood policing model, which involves 10 local policing units, into "mission-led teams" which will operate across geographical boundaries. The force said it will focus resources, "on areas of most need".
It also plans to change the current neighbourhood policing model, which involves 10 local policing units, into "mission-led teams" which will operate across geographical boundaries. The force said it will focus resources, "on areas of most need".
Mr Sims said: "We are currently at a point where budgets for policing... are retracting at a level never seen before.Mr Sims said: "We are currently at a point where budgets for policing... are retracting at a level never seen before.
"We need to respond to and reflect those changes - becoming a smaller, faster, smarter service."We need to respond to and reflect those changes - becoming a smaller, faster, smarter service.
"Although this blueprint has been accelerated by the austerity cuts, it is something we would have done in any event.""Although this blueprint has been accelerated by the austerity cuts, it is something we would have done in any event."
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "We are doing all we can to ensure we can deliver what the public needs."Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "We are doing all we can to ensure we can deliver what the public needs."
Unite regional officer Caren Evans said Mr Sims had, "lost touch with the public he serves, if he thinks virtual policing can replace bobbies on the beat, who work tirelessly with the communities they serve".Unite regional officer Caren Evans said Mr Sims had, "lost touch with the public he serves, if he thinks virtual policing can replace bobbies on the beat, who work tirelessly with the communities they serve".
"The public will have no faith in the 'self-service' digital policing model being foisted on them because of budget cuts," she added."The public will have no faith in the 'self-service' digital policing model being foisted on them because of budget cuts," she added.
"It beggars belief that the government's heavy-handed cuts are forcing police forces into such drastic and frankly terrifying measures.""It beggars belief that the government's heavy-handed cuts are forcing police forces into such drastic and frankly terrifying measures."
She called for "urgent action" to stop police budget cuts.She called for "urgent action" to stop police budget cuts.