Police in financially "tight" times

By Jennifer Hill

LONDON (Reuters) - Police forces in England and Wales are facing financially tight times, the government warned on Tuesday, as data showed some forces were severely underperforming.

Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said investment in policing would enter a "more flat-line period" after seven or eight years of growth.

He was speaking as the government was publishing its long-awaited comprehensive spending review and as performance data showed some forces had problems.

However, McNulty rejected the notion that the public was not getting "bang for their buck" from the police service.

"The notion that this is still an inefficient public service is wrong," he told reporters.

"The notion that this is the last bastion of unreconstructed 1960s public service, again, couldn't be farther from the truth."

Speaking as the Home Office released annual performance data for 2006/07, chief inspector of constabulary Sir Ronnie Flanagan conceded there were "issues" within certain forces.

The assessment covers seven key performance areas, including tackling crime, protecting vulnerable people, neighbourhood policing, satisfaction and efficiency.