POLICING in Hertfordshire is set to lose �6m in funding over the next three years – after the new coalition Government unveiled a multi-billion pound spending cuts programme.

On the day before Hertfordshire Constabulary’s year-end performance figures revealed crime was down eight per cent and detection rates were up by 35 per cent, the county’s police authority was informed that it will be losing �2m in Government grants this year.

Hertfordshire Police Authority chair Stuart Nagler warned that the cuts would have a “knock on effect” on future finances.

“Not only will the effect be felt this year but it will add to the already growing challenges that we are facing in the future,” Mr Nagler said.

“A cut of �2m in our current base grant will have a knock-on effect for future settlements equivalent to a further shortfall of �6m over the next three years. This is on top of the �11m to �22m shortfall that was already predicted.”

Last week, Chancellor George Osborne announced �6.2 billion worth of spending cuts, which included taking �125m off police budgets across the country.

A further �10m is being cut from counter terrorism policing for this year, although it is not yet known how this will affect Hertfordshire.

Mr Nagler added: “The authority will now be working with the constabulary over the next few weeks to re-work this year’s budget figures and assess what the implications will be for policing in the county.

“We remain committed to high standards of policing in the county and will do all we can to minimise any impact.”