Financial pressures force police to freeze recruiting

More than 520 aspiring officers have been told their applications to join North Yorkshire Police will be refused because of the force's "financial position".

They include applicants who signed up following the force's chaotic recruitment drive in February, which resulted in chief constable Grahame Maxwell being investigated by the police watchdog.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is studying claims that one of Mr Maxwell's relatives was on a short list of applicants who were called back after the recruitment hotline crashed under the weight of 350,000 calls.

North Yorkshire had intended to take on about 60 student officers this year but a spokesman confirmed yesterday that none would be recruited "for the foreseeable future".

Two of Yorkshire's other police forces – West Yorkshire and Humberside – have also stopped recruiting officers. South Yorkshire was unable to comment yesterday.

The region, whose population is expected to rise above 6 million by 2026, already has the fastest-shrinking police service in the country, having shed almost 600 officers in only two years.

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has warned that reduced police numbers will put forces under pressure and provide an "early Christmas present" to criminals.

North Yorkshire branch chairman Mark Botham said: "When you look at the forecast population growth throughout Yorkshire, and particularly in North Yorkshire, and the high levels of work our officers already face, it is clear to see why we have concerns.

"We understand the current economic climate but we expect to see the cuts applied to all ranks and grades because at the moment the cuts seem to be happening from the bottom up, which quite frankly is not sustainable."