Newspapers join with Surrey Police to fight cuts

Jun 16 2009 By Suzy Talbot

NEWSPAPERS are well-known for trying to beat each other to the front page scoops.

But in a rather unique situation, all newspaper rivalry was put aside as publishers and broadcasters across the county joined together to support Surrey Police in its bid to prevent capping action by the government.

The Department of Communities and Local Government capped Surrey Police Authority and has ordered the budget to be cut by £1.6million, with a rebilling cost to taxpayers of £1.2m. The authority has now launched a High Court bid to have the decision overturned.

Sir Ray Tindle, who owns Tindle newpapers, one of the few remaining independent publishers in the country, ignored his desire for an exclusive and organised a rally of the press across the county.

Speaking at the Tindle newspapers headquarters in Farnham was chief constable Mark Rowley and chairman of Surrey Police Authority Peter Williams.

The police authority is challenging the decision to cap Surrey Police in the High Court.

Mr Rowley warned the cap would result in a damaging culling process, because of the speed at which decisions about posts had to be made.

He said: "It is a fairly blunt and brutal process. I don't say that 50 officers will make the difference between success and failure but it is the start of degrading front line resources and during a recession is not the time to do this.

"The 150 planned reduction in posts did not damage the front line. This 50 will."

The meeting on Friday closed with a letter from all attendees being sent to Downing Street by the end of the day.

See this week's Surrey Herald and News for more details on the impact of the cuts.