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Norfolk Police could lose ‘highly skilled’ staff members due to funding shortfall, Chief Constable and MP warn




Norfolk Police could be forced to reduce its number of “highly skilled and experienced” staff members due to a gap in funding.

The warning was outlined in a letter from the force’s Chief Constable Paul Sanford, who shared his concerns with North West Norfolk MP James Wild.

Mr Sanford said it will be “harder” for the constabulary to match its impressive performance in recent years if more resources are not made available by the Government.

Norfolk Police may lose some ‘highly skilled and experienced’ officers due to a shortfall in funding
Norfolk Police may lose some ‘highly skilled and experienced’ officers due to a shortfall in funding

This comes after the release of the 2025/26 Police Funding Settlement.

Following its publication, Mr Sanford wrote: “As a result of this settlement I will be now forced to reduce the number of highly skilled and experienced police staff in my organisation and replace them with trainee police officers who cost more to employ, have an increased training requirement and are often short of the skills that exist in the police staff that I might now have to make redundant.”

Norfolk Police has made significant strides in public safety over the past year, with a 11% decrease in crime and a leading position in solving cases.

North West Norfolk MP James Wild has written to the Home Secretary calling for more support
North West Norfolk MP James Wild has written to the Home Secretary calling for more support

The county’s charging rate stands at 12%, exceeding the national average, and nearly half of shoplifting cases in Norfolk are resolved, with a third resulting in charges.

However, under the new settlement, the county faces a projected £4million funding gap, even if the Police and Crime Commissioner raises the council tax precept to its maximum level.

While the Government has announced additional funding for neighbourhood policing, Norfolk has only been allocated £1.1million - enough to fund just four extra officers on duty at any given time across the county.

Mr Wild said: "Norfolk Police have delivered impressive results in reducing crime and solving cases, but this funding settlement does not reflect the realities faced by rural forces.

“If the Government is serious about fighting crime then it must ensure Norfolk has the resources needed to continue its success in keeping people safe."

Mr Wild has written to the Home Secretary calling on the Government to provide additional support and flexibility for rural forces like Norfolk to ensure that public safety and crime reduction remain top priorities.

Mr Sanford’s letter added: “I will of course do my upmost to minimise the impact of these cuts on frontline services. I will prioritise our response to calls for service, investigating crime well and relentlessly pursuing the most problematic offenders.

“However, my ability to do that is limited, and there will inevitably be an operational impact as a result of this settlement.

“The constabulary has made strong progress in the last year. Crime is down 11%, and we are solving more crimes than any other police force in the country. I am determined to maintain that performance but this settlement has made that ambition harder.”



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