Cumbria's police and crime commissioner has warned the government any future cuts like the county force faced two years ago could make it "unsustainable".

Peter McCall warned it could not withstand an attack on its budget as he lobbied the police minister, Nick Hurd, over a potential cash crisis.

The man overseeing Cumbrian crimefighting also said any subsequent merger brought on by financial needs could lead to officers being drafted into urban areas south of the county.

He was speaking after a one-to-one meeting with Mr Hurd over cash – and nearly two years on from a warning over cuts that caused a major backlash.

CN Group, publishers of The Mail , campaigned against the scale of cuts proposed in 2015 that would have decimated officer numbers and forced the closure of some police stations.

But the proposed re-working of what is known as the funding formula, which would have left Cumbria facing a cut of £26m, was averted at the eleventh hour.

Now, though, funding is again casting a long shadow over the force.

Mr McCall, in an exclusive interview, said: "The fact is in Cumbria we can't sustain a significant attack on our budget such as was proposed in the last police funding formula debate.

"I really wanted to drive home the point of view that a significant attack on our budget could bring into question the sustainability of the force.

"I'm not prepared to allow that to happen."

He added: "I'm making it my mission to maintain for Cumbria an independent, sustainable police force.

"In my view if we were to merge with another force, I'm convinced resources would be stretched south into Lancashire.

"I'm convinced Cumbria would lose out very strongly."

Police officer numbers have dropped in the wake of budget cuts – from 1,274 in 2009 to 1,122.

Mr McCall said: "I'm determined not to cut police numbers.

"It's not one of the options I'm prepared to look at.

"I think our numbers are already too low."

He said other methods could be used to keep the force at the forefront of fighting crime.

"It's no good having an independent police force if it's not sustainable and can't do what it is required to do," he said.

"It is key to ensure it is sustainable. There are lots of ways of achieving that. It's not just about saying we want more money.

"We will work with other police forces where we can.

"We have to examine all these options."

The government last week announced a pay rise for police which breached the one per cent public sector pay cap.

Police will get a one per cent pay rise plus a one per cent bonus for the year.

Mr McCall said this was discussed, adding: "The pay settlement will have to be found from within our current budget.

"That is the case across the country.

"For us here in Cumbria, that has given me a headache of about £3m."

He added: "The pay award is the pay award. There is very little that is going to change on that.

"The funding formula is a bigger threat if it didn't go right."


Last month Cumbria's most senior police officer, chief constable Jerry Graham, issued a warning over funding reforms.

Mr Graham said: “Cumbria is particularly vulnerable to the impact of a new police funding formula planned to be introduced from 2018/19, which has the potential to have a detrimental effect on the resources available to police the county.”

Mr McCall said the minister was "receptive" to what was said over the funding issues.

"He heard what I had to say and was sympathetic," he said.

"I think he understands the issues.

"He undertook to ensure that whatever funding formula came out it would be fair to all."

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Revamp to problem-hit service could be threatened by cash woes

A possible revamp to Cumbria's delay-hit 101 service could be under threat by potential funding problems.

Mr McCall said some significant projects, including in the force's communication system, could be "scaled back".

Residents are encouraged to use the 101 number to contact the police for non-emergency matters.

But it has been beset with problems, with residents waiting lengthy periods of time on the phone, prompting concern that some issues are going unreported.

Mr McCall said: "We are looking at possibly overhauling our communication system within the control room.

"This is in order to improve the 101 service."

He added: "This year our budget has also taken a hit because we have to respond to national events around terrorism."