John Tizard, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire has said more detailed information is required from the Home Office regarding how funding will be allocated from the Comprehensive Spending Review:

"We need to await the detail decisions from the Home Office on how they will allocate the money identified in the CSR for the Department.

"I will be reviewing the numbers carefully with the Chief Constable to ensure we can continue to keep Bedfordshire safe.

"Policing, especially in Bedfordshire has been underfunded for many years. We received the biggest ever increase in funding from central government for this financial year including additional new money for neighbourhood policing. We could not expect the government to compensate for over a decade of underfunding immediately.

"The headline numbers from yesterday’s CSR are seemingly disappointing. However, unlike some other public services the allocation for policing is better than that for many other services and is an actual increase. That said we need more money to meet demand and additional costs.

"We must await the Home Office decisions in respect of police pay, the allocation of funding between police services, wider police reform, and the creation of a national policing body and support services to understand the long-term financial position.

"However, whatever the funding available we must always be efficient and effective. There is scope to increase productivity though the necessary investment and change may take more than a year to realise significant savings and improved outcomes. Bedfordshire is leading the way in areas such as the use of AI. We will need to do more.

"Policing is one of many partners involved in keeping us safe and delivering criminal justice. Therefore, I welcome the significant increase in funding for the probation service. Collaboration between these partners will be required more than others.

"I am pleased that the government has reaffirmed its commitment to local policing in line with its mission to keep our streets safer and enhance community policing by 13,000 officers over four years."