Crime Crisis: Portsmouth Police Face Massive Job Cuts Amid Surge in Violence
A tense Crime Summit kicks off in Westminster this morning to tackle rising violent crime and police cuts in Portsmouth. With another stabbing under investigation at Fratton CID, Hampshire Police Federation chair John Apter and Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan are meeting Policing Minister Nick Hurd to demand urgent action.
Violent Crime and Break-ins Spiral
Portsmouth is battling a violent crime surge, with stabbings on the rise. Local businesses in Southsea are reeling from a wave of unsolved break-ins haunting the area. The summit will focus on how crime is ravaging the community and destroying livelihoods.
Police Force Facing Massive Job Slashes
Officials will raise alarm bells over drastic budget cuts that will slash 160 police jobs, with uniformed officers hit hardest. That’s £6.9million wiped from resources. To make matters worse, another 200 roles could be scrapped by 2021, threatening Portsmouth’s safety even more.
“Lots to discuss,” said a grim-faced John Apter, underscoring the bleak outlook for the force.
The Grim Toll: Full List of Cuts Unveiled
- Crime Reporting Bureau – 0 officers, 15 staff
- Forensic Resource Management Unit – 0 officers, 5 staff
- Marine Unit – 2 officers, 0 staff
- Roads Policing Unit – 20 officers, 0 staff
- Roads Policing Unit Intelligence – 0 officers, 2 staff
- Dog Unit – 15 officers, 0 staff
- Force Support Unit – 27 officers, 0 staff
- Firearms Cadre – 4 officers, 0 staff
- Dedicated Source Unit – 7 officers, 1 staff
- Hampshire Surveillance Unit – 12 officers, 1 staff
- Intelligence Functions – 16 officers, 4 staff
- Force Custody – 5.5 officers, 7 staff
- Evidence Management – 0 officers, 10.5 staff
- ID Suite Team – 0 officers, 7 staff
Some posts are currently vacant and won’t be refilled. More cuts loom, with £10.6million in further savings expected between 2019 and 2021, risking even more job losses.
The clock is ticking as Portsmouth’s police force braces for what could be a crisis in community safety.
