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The economic downturn inevitably brings greater emphasis on cost savings to reduce public service spending to support the economic recovery plan. The issue of the recession and public sector spending cuts are covered in the cross sector theme, Recession, as both go hand-in-hand and impact both economically and socially.

With police forces operating in an environment of public spending cuts, it is necessary for them to make the most of both financial and people resources. In turn, productivity and efficiency need to be placed at the heart of police work and this echoed in the 21^st century police reform agenda. Changes to the current performance framework and the drive to streamline policing (see cross-cutting themes Reducing Bureaucracy and Increasing Accountability) will help forces get the most out of their resources but also will require a fundamental change in working practices and workforce skill levels.

Skills such as demand management, collaborative working, entrepreneurial skills, talent / personal development management offer routes to resist and combat the economic barriers on the horizon. More importantly they offer the service the means to improve the quality of services to the public.

Asset Recovery is evolving as a core activity; a route to addressing serious and organised as well as terrorism. Police powers in the area of asset recovery are expanding with the incentive of 50% of recovered assets being returned to the agencies which recovered them.

References

1	BBC News Online, 9 June 2009 'Public Sector Productivity Falls'.
2	Bichard, Sir Michael (2004) The Bichard Inquiry report. HC 653. London: The Stationery Office Ltd.
3	Flanagan, Sir Ronnie (2007) Independent Review of Policing: Interim Report. Home Office: London
4	Flanagan, Sir Ronnie (2008) The Review of Policing: Final Report. Home Office: London
5	HMIC (2005) Closing the Gap: A review of the 'fitness for purpose' of the current structure of policing in England & Wales. London: Home Office
6	HMIC (2008) Leading from the Frontline: Thematic inspection of frontline supervision and leadership at the rank of sergeant in the Police Service of England & Wales. London: Home Office
7	HMIC (2009) Getting Together: A better deal for the public through joint working. London: HMIC.
8	HM Treasury (2007) Meeting the Aspirations of the British People: 2007 Pre-budget report and Comprehensive Spending Review. London: HM Treasury.
9	Home Office (2007) Asset Recovery Action Plan: A consultation document. London: Home Office.
10	Home Office (2008) Assessment of Policing and Community Safety. London: Home Office.
11	Home Office (2008) From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our communities together. Cm 7448, London: The Stationery Office Ltd
12	Home Office (2008) From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our communities together - Summary of Green Paper consultation responses and next steps.  London: Home Office
13	Home Office, ACPO & APA (2008) Efficiency and Productivity Strategy for the Police Service 2008-2011. London: Home Office.
14	House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee (2007) Police Funding. Fourth Report of Session 2006-07. HC 553, London: The Stationery Office Ltd.
15	Loveday, B. & McClory, J (2007) Footing the Bill: Reforming the Police Service. London: Policy Exchange.
16	Operation Quest, Home Office website - http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/human-resources/efficiency-and-productivity/operation-quest/
17	Phelps, Mike (2009) Total Public Service Output and Productivity. London: Office for National Statistics.
18	Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
19	Protective services Improvement Programme
20	Rowlinson, A. & Wild, R. (2009) Public Service Output, Input, and Productivity: Measuring Police Inputs. London: Office for National Statistics.
21	Sunday Mirror Press Release, 14 June 2009, 'Gordon Brown: David's Cameron's cuts will make the recession worse'.

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