Even thinner blue line

Greater Manchester Police has to find savings of £157m over the next three years

Concerns have been raised after it was revealed a further £28m will be axed from the police budget next year.

The devastating cuts mean Greater Manchester Police has to find savings of £157m over the next three years. It now faces a £70m black hole in the budget.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “It is unacceptable and disappointing that ordinary, hard-working people are once again bearing the brunt of these irresponsible funding cuts.

“The message to central government is loud and clear — we cannot cope with more cuts.”

Nearly £12m of the money is being clawed back to pay for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the City of London police. It will also fund the direct entry scheme allowing people to join the police at senior rank without walking the beat.

Other announcements include the top-slicing of the budget to fund the Police Special Grant — a pot of money police can apply for to pay for unforeseen incidents and events such as mass protest or public disorder.