MLAs concerns that PSNI is in critical situation due to 'punishment budget'

By Graeme Cousins
Published 6th Jul 2023, 17:43 BST
Updated 6th Jul 2023, 17:43 BST
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DUP MLA Trevor Clarke warned that the continued failure to deliver an adequate budget for policing will see NI trailing other regions of the UK in efforts to tackle crime and keep people safe.

Mr Clarke, who is his party’s lead Policing Board representative, said: “The crisis facing the policing budget in Northern Ireland is the direct result of underfunding by the Treasury over the last decade.

"Although the PSNI have worked tirelessly to keep a lid on many of the resulting pressures, this is no longer sustainable. The budget handed down by the Secretary of State will have an explosive and negative impact on operational policing in the coming months.

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He added: “While police officer numbers are at their highest ever recorded level in England and Wales because of extra investment, headcount in the PSNI is now at the lowest level since the service was established.

The PSNI is facing a budget crisisThe PSNI is facing a budget crisis
The PSNI is facing a budget crisis

“The Government should accept that the funding formula for policing and other public services in Northern Ireland is failing our communities. For as long as we receive 3% of spending in England rather than budgets that are based on need, pressures on frontline services will continue to rise.”

Meanwhile Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister urged the Secretary of State not to use the people of NI as collateral: "The police are facing a £38 million gap in their budget, in real terms, this will lead to reduced visibility, accessibility and slower response times. The last thing the people of NI need right now is reduced confidence in the PSNI. It’s imperative that the Secretary of State stops using the people of NI as collateral in their DUP punishment budget."