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Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson unveils strategy to tackle £17m police deficit and sets out priorities




Lincolnshire Police is facing a £17 million deficit in the next three years without improved funding.

Chief Constable Paul Gibson has released his first annual Police Plan since succeeding Chris Haward in January.

The plan outlines the force’s vision, priorities, financial details, staff numbers, and key deliverables — and spells out some stark financial challenges for a force that is already the worst funded in the country.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. | Image: Daniel Jaines
Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Paul Gibson. | Image: Daniel Jaines

It notes an underlying gap of £9.2 million this year, which was offset by raiding the reserves.

However, this gap will widen as income struggles to keep pace with the rate of inflation and service pressures increase.

Total income is set to rise from £160.7 million in 2023/24 to £171.8 million in 2027/28, a £11 million increase.

However, expenditure will rise from £160.7 million to £188.8 million, a £28 million increase, resulting in the £17 million shortfall.

The police and crime commissioner’s (PCC) office share of those costs will increase by £5 million and the chief constable’s by £22.6 million, with the remainder for joint services.

Mr Gibson outlined a flexible approach to address financial challenges and keep the public safe.

The plan highlights ongoing efforts for fairer funding for the cash-strapped force.

“We will encourage innovation and continuous improvement, meaning we will continue to look for new and positive ways to deliver policing against an ongoing challenging financial landscape,” said Mr Gibson.

“Our thinking will revolve around what we can and already do well and being bold in trying different approaches. As crime evolves, so will our response – swiftly and effectively.

“Effective investigations will be key to this, as will the use of data, because securing justice for those who have been impacted by any type of crime will always be one of our priorities.

“This plan also considers the fluid nature of the unique position we find ourselves in here in Lincolnshire in terms of finance and resources, setting out a roadmap for spontaneous adaptation in order to keep the public safe.”

He highlighted the importance of working with the PCC, councils and others to achieve shared goals and improve living standards.

Mr Gibson expressed his privilege in serving Lincolnshire’s communities and acknowledged his role's responsibility.

He said his ambition is to create an ‘outstanding police service dedicated to public service, caring for personnel, and improving community protection’.

Lincolnshire Police's plan aims to streamline policing efforts, meet community needs effectively, and maintain fiscal responsibility.

Developed in collaboration with the PCC, the plan emphasises supporting police staff through clear leadership and expectations — and aims to ensure that Lincolnshire Police maintains high standards of professionalism and integrity.

It encourages a positive work environment and teamwork, promoting excellence in performance across the force as 'Team Lincolnshire'.

One key initiative, 'Every Contact Counts,' aims to enhance the quality of interactions between police and the public.

Leadership development is a focal point, with investments in training programmes designed to provide guidance and support.

The force is also implementing new recruitment strategies, such as internships and apprenticeships.

The strategy includes a specific focus on neighbourhood safety and reducing violence against women and girls.

Dedicated oversight boards will be used to ensure effective management of funding, capabilities, engagement, prevention strategies, organisational culture, and performance evaluations.

Community-centric initiatives underpin the plan, aiming to improve emergency and non-emergency response times while reducing the impact of mental health-related incidents on police resources.

A new Code of Ethics will guide police conduct, emphasising respectful interactions and promoting a supportive work environment.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below…



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