Police funding set to be cut by 9%

Police forces in England and Wales are facing a 9% cut in Government funding over the next two years, it has been announced.

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said the reductions would be "challenging" but insisted that forces should be able to find savings while protecting frontline services.

Under the terms of the detailed settlement - following on from the comprehensive spending review in October - central Government funding will fall by 4% to £9.3 billion in 2011/12 with a further 5% cut to £8.8 billion in 2012/13.

Forces will be given greater freedom to decide how to allocate the cash, with specific funds for crime fighting and the basic command unit being absorbed into the main police grant.

The Home Office will continue to allocate specific funding for counter-terrorism and - for the next two years - neighbourhood policing.

A further £50 million is being set aside to cover the costs of the first elections for local police commissioners, although Mr Herbert said this would not affect the funds allocated to forces.

"These reductions will be challenging but the Government is clear that forces can make the necessary savings while protecting the frontline and prioritising the visibility and availability of policing," Mr Herbert said in a Commons written statement.