Northumbria Police

Programme of change

Northumbria Police has launched a Programme of Change to introduce more efficient ways of working while continuing to deliver an excellent service.

We have already found ways to increase the flexibility of our workforce, so that we can have people where and when they are needed most, and reduce bureaucracy and management costs.

Reducing crime

We are a high performing force and this year crime in our area fell by more than 8%.

That means more than 7,000 fewer crimes and thousands more families feeling safe in their homes and on our streets.

Like many other public sector organisations we are facing reductions in Government funding, and, as a result, we must find £57 million pounds worth of savings in the next three years.

Increased efficiency

In order to meet this challenge we have to reduce the numbers of both police staff and police officer posts.

We aim to do this through Voluntary Redundancy and natural turnover wherever we can.

This was not unexpected and plans have been underway for some time to identify ways to work more efficiently, reduce bureaucracy and improve policing services.

Serving communities

We believe neighbourhood policing is the foundation on which this force is built.

So you won’t see fewer officers out and about in your neighbourhood and you won’t see fewer police vehicles patrolling.

We will protect, as far as possible, the numbers of officers involved in 24/7 response, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, detectives who support neighbourhoods, and the Community Support Officers who patrol your area.

We intend to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour even further and will continue to work with communities, find out their concerns and deliver a service that meets their needs and addresses local problems.

A selection of questions and answers are included on these pages, and if you have any further questions, you can submit them through the feedback section of this website.