UK needs to provide PSNI with more money, say former chief constables

Two former chief constables have urged the government to provide the police with extra funding to cover legacy costs, which could run to £1bn over the next decade.

Sir Hugh Orde and Sir George Hamilton have been speaking at a Westminster committee.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is facing scores of civil litigation and compensation claims linked to the troubles.

Sir George said the costs are "a constant suck" on contemporary policing resources.

He said cuts in the number of neighbourhood officers are one consequence.

Last week, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher estimated the PSNI's legacy bill "could go towards one billion pounds over the next 10 years".

Boutcher added: "That is one billion we do not have."

The PSNI has been feeling a budget squeeze over several years, which has resulted in officer numbers falling to a record low of around 6,300.

It is currently recruiting hundreds of new officers as part of a recovery plan.

Two of Boutcher's predecessors have now backed his call for London to provide the organisation with additional funds to specifically deal with legacy.

Appearing before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Sir George said: "The funding needs to be completely separated out from policing.

"It (legacy) is just a constant suck on money."

Sir Hugh added: "The costs seem to be uncontrollable in the reports from the current chief.

"These are civil cases and it seems to me the numbers are growing.

"This will financially cripple operational frontline policing in Northern Ireland … it's unsustainable frankly."

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has said previously that police funding is largely a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive at Stormont.

The PSNI is funded via the Department of Justice from the block grant.

Separately, the NIO provides the PSNI with about £40m a year to deal with the national security threat and paramilitarism.