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Police 'facing staff shortages'
 Shortages are blamed on sickness and recruitment delays |
A new survey has revealed the extent of the manpower problems facing the police service.
BBC Radio 5 Live found that forces in England and Wales are more than 3,000 officers short, due to long-term leave and vacancies.
Some constabularies are taking six months to fill posts.
 Home Secretary is under fire over police recruitment |
Four forces were not recruiting at all.
In addition 2,100 police officers were off work long term through ill-health - meaning an absence in most cases of four weeks or more.
With 12 forces unable to provide figures for sick leave, the exact number will be far higher.
The Home Office has promised funds to recruit 5,000 new officers over the next three years.
But money will only be available if forces meet efficiency targets and reduce the number of days lost through sickness.
Numbers falling
Home Secretary Jack Straw found himself embroiled in controversy earlier in the year over his promise to provide cash to recruit 5,000 extra officers, over and above existing hiring plans.
Police forces are already planning to recruit 11,000 officers over the next three years - which together with the 5,000 announced by Mr Straw would make a total of 16,000.
But if current trends continue, the 16,000 new recruits would not replace the almost 17,000 who leave over that period - leading to a net fall in police numbers.
Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe accused the Mr Straw of "being rumbled by his own numbers".
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See also: | |
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 | 21 Oct 99 | UK Politics |
| Straw 'rumbled' on police numbers |
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| 18 Oct 99 | UK Politics |
| Straw: I told the whole truth |
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| 15 Oct 99 | Wales |
| Ethnic police recruitment gets boost |
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