West Mercia Police budget hit by extra £22 million cuts

West Mercia Police needs to make a further £22 million of cuts by 2019, it has been revealed.

The force is part-way through a major savings programme of £20.1 million between 2012 and 2016 which has already resulted in officer numbers being slashed and stations closed.

It has also embarked on an alliance with Warwickshire Police to help reach its savings target.

But news of the further savings that are required were revealed today by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore as he published his draft budget proposals for 2014/15.

A further £21.8 million of cuts are needed but the report added the precise figure is unlikely to be confirmed until after next year's General Election.

Ken MacKaill, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, said today a full merger between the two forces would now have to be seriously considered.

Mr Longmore is looking to increase the police element of the council tax precept by two per cent from April in a bid to raise an additional £1.7 million a year.

He said: "Unfortunately, the Government's austerity measures mean that we need to save a further £21.8 million over the next five years.

"Income raised through council tax is a vital source of police funding and, although I understand that times are difficult, asking people to pay more is something I need to consider in order to relieve the pressure on frontline policing."

The report said that from the start of 2014/15, when reserves are expected to stand at £49.3 million, a total of £36.6 million will be taken out over a five-year period.

To help meet the combined £30 million cuts for West Mercia and Warwickshire Police between 2012 and 2016, it was announced last January that up to 200 police officers and 450 civilian staff would leave the two forces and not be replaced.

Several police stations around the county have also been closed as part of the cutbacks, including in Ellesmere and Newport.

Shrewsbury's police control room in Battlefield is also being considered for closure in 2015, affecting 84 members of staff.