Colchester police are bracing themselves for cuts of more than £200,000.

Colchester divisional commander Supt Julian Field has been asked by Essex Police headquarters to prepare a proposal to make three per cent savings on next year's estimated £7 million budget.

The contingency plan is in anticipation of a tight Government funding settlement.

Mr Field has had to look at all areas of policing in the borough when drawing up a shopping list of savings totalling £210,000.

But he will not know until later this year whether they will have to be implemented.

Proposed savings include:

introducing more civilian staff to do jobs which no longer necessarily have to be done by a police officer. If a job is civilianised it releases an extra officer for duty

reducing the number of unmarked police vehicles and using smaller car models, to save on fuel costs

re-evaluating every civilian post when someone leaves to see if the job is needed

increasing the use of special constables working alongside officers.

Mr Field stressed there was no question of closing police stations or reducing the number of police officers. Redundancies were not being considered.

Some officers have said they fear that a reduction in civilian support staff, who often deal with back-up administration tasks like transcribing interviews, will mean they will spend more time inside the station dealing with paperwork instead of being outside investigating or patrolling the streets.

One constable, who did not wish to be named, said: "I cannot see how we are going to be able to carry out our duties to the best of our ability if the cuts go ahead.

"We will be rushed off our feet, will not be able to give as much time and thought when dealing with the public, and ultimately it means more pressure on the police officer. Inevitably it is going to affect our results."

County councillor Anthony Peel (Con, Tiptree), chairman of Essex Police Authority, said: "It is tougher than before. It is likely that we shall get a budget increase of 2.6 per cent when we need six per cent."

Mr Field stressed: "I acknowledge if you reduce civilian support staff it has a detrimental effect on providing a high-profile police presence. That is why I do not anticipate any large scale reduction in support staff."

"I remain committed to providing a high quality level of policing, meeting the demands of the community and the targets set for us."

"I am confident we will be able to continue to provide a very high quality service."

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