PSNI needs an ‘urgent bail-out’ from UK government

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) requires an “urgent bail-out” from the UK government, the organisation which represents its officers has said.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) has called for “direct intervention” as Stormont does not appear to have enough funds to help.

The PSNI needs hundreds of millions to address a number of things, including settling compensation claims from the 2023 data breach.

It is also seeking £200m for a recovery plan to boost officer numbers, which the Northern Ireland Executive has said it cannot presently afford.

PFNI chair Liam Kelly has called on the Secretary of State Hilary Benn to “step in and sort out the chronic funding crisis”.

He said: “We need a bail out to cover all outstanding financial elements.

“Mr Benn has a duty to go into bat at cabinet and Downing Street for the service and the men and women I represent.

“He cannot do a Pontius Pilate and maintain he cannot interfere because policing is devolved.”

The PSNI receives the majority of its funding from the Department of Justice (DoJ) out of the block grant.

There is a small additional contribution from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to deal with the national security threat and paramilitarism.

The PSNI currently has 6,200 officers and 2,200 staff.

Mr Kelly said the PSNI’s declining officer headcount is in “stark contrast” to the situation in Ireland.

In its last budget, the Irish government announced funding for 1,000 recruits for An Garda Síochána (Irish police).

PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher has recently flagged up annual spending of £25m on legacy costs related to the Northern Ireland Troubles.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board has backed his call for round-table talks on the issue with Benn.

Benn has told it the police budget is a matter “for the justice minister to set and for the chief constable to prioritise”.