Police "cost residents £316 a year"

7:23am Friday 4th July 2008

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THE police force which serves south Bucks is the 11th most costly out of 39 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, research has shown.

Thames Valley Police cost each of its residents £316 in 2007, the TaxPayers' Alliance said.

By contrast Bedforshire Police cost its residents £255 a year and the bill was £149 for people in Surrey.

Nottinghamshire Police was the most expensive force costing residents £389 each, it said.

It said forces should have elected members and publish "detailed and comparable information on local crime levels".

Paperwork also had to be slashed in half, the report "The Cost of Crime", urges.

It states: "It is indisputable that police performance in many parts of the country could be improved, which would reduce crime and achieve greater value for taxpayers' money."

About half the cash went to tackling and investigating crimes against the person, according to the research, using figures revealed under the Freedom of Information act.

Matthew Sinclair, policy analyst at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Every one of us pays a steep price for high crime rates, particularly those living in urban areas.

"Whether we have been victims of crime, are afraid to go out at night or are just paying ever more to protect and insure ourselves and our property, crime has significant economic, emotional and social costs for us all."

He said: "The problem is that politicians in Whitehall insist on micro-managing the police.

"If the Government give people the information and the power to tailor their local police force to their local needs, we will be able to drive crime levels down and improve the lives of millions."