Police authorities across the UK are spending over £1 million on publications like glossy magazines and leaflets, according to new research by the TaxPayers' Alliance.
This is just one example of non-frontline spending that could be cut. By law police authorities have to produce a Local Policing Summary each year, but these publications go far beyond that and could be released online for free.
The key findings of this research are:
Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Lots of Police authorities already publish their Local Policing Summary online, costing taxpayers next to nothing. Police authorities up and down the country need to make savings. This is just one example of how spending can be cut to minimise the pressure on frontline services. Communicating the work of the police to the public shouldn't cost the earth and doesn't require a glossy magazine."Police authorities across the UK are spending over £1 million on publications like glossy magazines and leaflets, according to new research by the TaxPayers' Alliance.
This is just one example of non-frontline spending that could be cut. By law police authorities have to produce a Local Policing Summary each year, but these publications go far beyond that and could be released online for free.
The key findings of this research are:
Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Lots of Police authorities already publish their Local Policing Summary online, costing taxpayers next to nothing. Police authorities up and down the country need to make savings. This is just one example of how spending can be cut to minimise the pressure on frontline services. Communicating the work of the police to the public shouldn't cost the earth and doesn't require a glossy magazine."
Click here to read the report, including a full local breakdown
This is just one example of non-frontline spending that could be cut. By law police authorities have to produce a Local Policing Summary each year, but these publications go far beyond that and could be released online for free.
The key findings of this research are:
- More than £1 million was spent on local policing summaries in the 2010-11 financial year
- The instant saving that can be made by publishing this information online would be enough to pay for the employment of 22 police officers at £50,000 per annum
- Thames Valley police spent the most on their Local Policing Summary – a total of £95,470 in 2010-11
- Many authorities publish other leaflets alongside their local policing summaries, costing nearly £350,000 – or 7 officers’ employment – in 2010-11
Click here to read the report, including a full local breakdown
Click here for the complete press release
Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Lots of Police authorities already publish their Local Policing Summary online, costing taxpayers next to nothing. Police authorities up and down the country need to make savings. This is just one example of how spending can be cut to minimise the pressure on frontline services. Communicating the work of the police to the public shouldn't cost the earth and doesn't require a glossy magazine."Police authorities across the UK are spending over £1 million on publications like glossy magazines and leaflets, according to new research by the TaxPayers' Alliance.
Click here to read the report, including a full local breakdown
This is just one example of non-frontline spending that could be cut. By law police authorities have to produce a Local Policing Summary each year, but these publications go far beyond that and could be released online for free.
The key findings of this research are:
- More than £1 million was spent on local policing summaries in the 2010-11 financial year
- The instant saving that can be made by publishing this information online would be enough to pay for the employment of 22 police officers at £50,000 per annum
- Thames Valley police spent the most on their Local Policing Summary – a total of £95,470 in 2010-11
- Many authorities publish other leaflets alongside their local policing summaries, costing nearly £350,000 – or 7 officers’ employment – in 2010-11
Click here to read the report, including a full local breakdown
Click here for the complete press release
Matthew Sinclair, Director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Lots of Police authorities already publish their Local Policing Summary online, costing taxpayers next to nothing. Police authorities up and down the country need to make savings. This is just one example of how spending can be cut to minimise the pressure on frontline services. Communicating the work of the police to the public shouldn't cost the earth and doesn't require a glossy magazine."