CUMBRIA Police has agreed to pay most of its suppliers within a week to ease cash-flow worries for businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said that the Constabulary would now settle supplier invoices more quickly than the usual agreed 30 day limit.

“The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused a lot of uncertainty for so many businesses across the UK," said Mr McCall.

“It’s a worrying time for everyone and we - the Constabulary and I – want to help as best we can with those who supply goods and services to us.

“We are doing the best we can to reduce any fears internally and externally around the virus but we are also taking it seriously – no one knows what will come in the next few weeks so we want to do all we can at this moment in time to help.

“These quicker payments will hopefully help these businesses cash flow and help reduce any stress that they may be feeling."

“Our Officers are still out on the streets stopping criminals and assisting victims and are doing an incredible job at continuing their day-to-day business amid the chaos.

“However; we have office based staff that are working extremely hard to help with the current situation and it is due to their hard work that we are able to pay our partners even quicker. Therefore I want to say thank you to them.”

Stephen Kirkpatrick, Director of Corporate Support at Cumbria Constabulary, said: “These are challenging times for all organisations and businesses. We hope that reducing the time it takes to pay suppliers will ease the pressure on all concerned."