LANCASHIRE police chiefs could look to cut the constabulary’s £10m overtime bill as the Government attempts to reduce the cost of policing.

But leading figures in the force say ‘responding flexibly to crime’ is a priority which has to be balanced against cost effectiveness.

A White Paper published this week outlines plans to save millions of pounds on the £6.2b annual police budget in England and Wales.

Figures released from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy show Lancashire handed out £8,918,000 to uniformed police officers in 2007-08.

That figure represented 4.6 per cent of the force’s expenditure on police officer salaries and 3.4 per cent of its total employee expenses, which also include back office staff, PCSOs and traffic wardens.

Overtime accumulated by ‘other staff’ salaries, such as administration staff, added another £1,072,000 to the bill - representing 0.4 per cent of total employee expenses.

The Home Office is trying to reduce an estimated £500m overtime spend by the 43 police forces.

Newly-appointed Deputy Chief Constable Chris Weigh said: “Lancashire Constabulary is totally committed to providing an efficient police service and we are constantly looking to achieve savings without impacting on our front line service to the public. Value for money is vital and there are numerous examples were we have worked with other forces on joint operations and other services.

“Overtime reflects the realities of modern policing, including its unpredictability. We, along with Lancashire Police Authority, do look at overtime budgets very carefully and it should always be carefully monitored for cost effectiveness.

“However, the police service is a 24-hour, seven day a week organisation and has to be able to respond flexibly to any event or crime at any time.

“Our communities should be assured that Lancashire Constabulary is absolutely committed to local policing that is accountable and responsive to their needs at the most affordable cost.”

The proposals also outlined in the paper included standard uniforms, patrol cars, a cut in police helicopters and suggested single officer foot patrols.

Lancashire Constabulary is currently undergoing a shift review which is looking at increasing front line police presence - without extra expenditure - by overhauling uniformed rotas