Coronavirus crisis could cost West Midlands Police more than £8 million
Coronavirus could cost West Midlands Police more than £8.5 million by the end of the month, it has been revealed.
The force has forked out millions to ensure officers and staff have personal protective equipment (PPE) – and can work from home.
David Jamieson, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the region, said vital services could be cut if the Government didn't cover their costs.
The force has currently paid out £3.4m – but it is forecast to hit £8.6m by the end of the month, a report to the PCC revealed.
Mr Jamieson said: "By the end of this month Covid-19 related costs, including PPE will have reached over £8 million.
"I am pushing the home office to cover our costs in full to ensure that we don’t have to cut vital services in the future to deal with the financial costs of the crisis."
A total of £2.35m has used for vital PPE with expenditure on laptops and phones expected to hit £3.44m – with 3,650 laptops purchased and issued by May.
But the force has been able to make some savings following BP's offer of free fuel for police vehicles due to the pandemic – saving the force £140,000 so far.
Last month leaders said the Government had to step in as the force couldn't cope with such a hit to its finances "without consequences for the frontline".
Capacity
Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said the virus had impacted police staff – but insisting there was "sufficient" capacity for tests to be carried out.
Around 544 employees have been tested so far – including numbers of those who have been tested twice – with 41 tests returning as positive out of 467 results received back.
A total of 422 are negative and four more are inconclusive. One worker, who tested positive, has taken a further test – with the other free symptom free and at work.
Ms Jardine said: "We absolutely have sufficient capacity regarding testing and depending on their circumstances – such as if they are shielding – can go get a test.
"I would not expect those who are shielding to go for a test, unless their situation changes, but I want to reassure those who do need a test that we do have the capacity."
