Police jobs to be lost

Police jobs will be lost in the West Midlands as the force makes cuts and savings of £50 million over the next four years, the region's most senior officer has warned.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said he expected "significant cuts in funding across the public sector".

Senior positions are expected to go as well as back-room and support roles.

Mr Sims said he believed he could make the £50 million of cuts without reducing front-line police numbers, but the force has not ruled out officer cuts if more budget reductions are needed.

Asked how many jobs would go, he said: "It will mean fewer jobs over a period of time but we're not yet at the stage of being specific. It's been quite difficult for police staff because clearly the sort of changes we're making puts some of their posts at risk over a period of time.

"The advantage is that when we talk about the savings, that is over in effect a four year period, so we've got time to manage down vacancies and the natural wastage to get to the structure we want."

Mr Sims said: "We can save £50 million over three years from April, 2011. I can continue to improve services, by using more technology and changing the way we operate."

"My job is to make these changes in the most orderly way as possible, protect front line policing and take the pain at the support end," he said. "We will find £50 million. The issue is will it be enough?"