Chief Constable Paul Acres says he is disappointed that the settlement "falls so short of meeting our needs in Hertfordshire."

He says Hertfordshire has been given a 3% increase in its base budget which leaves the force £5m short of what it needs to deliver the same standard of service as last year.

"And this at a time of significant increase in demand for policing and when we are striving to improve the service we provide to our communities," he said.

Paul Acres says the force would be working closely with Hertfordshire’s Police Authority to find a way forward.

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December 9, 2002