POLICE chiefs will meet today to discuss plans to get backing from business to combat future budget cuts.

Chief Constable Pauline Claire has warned Lancashire Constabulary, which spends £175 million each year, to prepare for possible cuts.

Despite the threat of funding cutbacks, the police will still have to invest in new computer and communications equipment.

Mrs Claire said: "It is critical that scarce financial resources are managed effectively to help the force achieve its objectives."

The force's finance committee will discuss a new cash strategy which includes increasing business sponsorship and charging for some services. Major areas of concern include rising pension costs, the need to plan for major emergency incidents, and the costs of a new national police radio project.

Finance chiefs are set to look at the best ways of raising extra cash through business sponsorship and charging for police services.

New staffing strategies under discussion include cutting management costs and taking on more civilian staff.

Money saving exercises are also proposed for the force's headquarters at Hutton near Preston.

The main thrust behind the new strategy is allowing local police chiefs to take more control over their finances.

The force has spent the last 12 months bringing in plans to give divisional commanders more control of their own budgets.

By the year 2000, 80 per cent of Lancashire Constabulary's budget will be managed at a local level.

Mrs Claire added: "I am convinced that the people best placed to take decisions on spending are locally based managers and staff."

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