A RECRUITMENT freeze will come into effect at Gloucestershire police from April after plans to increase the force’s budget were voted down.

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport had requested a 1.99 per cent annual rise in the police precept – the amount the force takes from council tax – but Gloucestershire County Council’s Police and Crime Panel rejected that at a meeting today.

The panel instead voted for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl’s proposal to keep the budget fixed at £105.095million for 2015/16.

This means residents in the county living in a Band D house will pay £207.73 in their council tax for the police force for the year – the same as last year.

This follows the news that the government will reduce its funding for Gloucestershire police by £20million over the next four years, and redundancies are expected in the force.

It is understood that the recruitment freeze will not affect anyone who has already been offered a job and is due to start from April onwards.

Speaking after the meeting, Miss Davenport said: “I fully recognise the Police and Crime Panel’s commitment to a council tax freeze in 2015/16 and therefore a decision has been made to pause police officer recruitment from ApriI this year, with every effort being made to keep officer reductions to a minimum.

“We are making best use of the latest technology by rolling out new Mobile Data Terminals so that our frontline officers can access key data and intelligence while out on patrol.

“Regarding working in partnership with other forces to best advantage, we currently operate a tri-force model with Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Wiltshire Police for roads police and dogs.

“All in all, the public can continue to rely on us and I remain upbeat about our plans for the future.”

Mr Surl said that Miss Davenport had “made a very strong case” for increasing the budget, but in the end he couldn’t support the 1.99 per cent rise.

“The only reason I didn’t recommend an increase myself was because I made a promise last year that I would not raise the precept this time unless there were exceptional circumstances,” he said.

“The Chief Constable and all my advisors tell me these are exceptional circumstances.

“The Police and Crime Panel is also there to support and offer advice to the Commissioner so I thought it sensible to seek their opinion. “Members were committed in their views both for and against an increase and I respect their decision.

“But make no mistake, these are very challenging times for all public bodies and there’s no doubt it will get tougher for the police before it gets better. We cannot hide from that and the chances of another freeze next year are remote.”