Publisher's Synopsis
Most of the spending of provincial police forces is financed from government grants, precepts on local authorities, borrowing and capital receipts. A small but significant share comes from other sources such as rents, charges for special duties and charges to the Home Office and other forces for services supplied beyond normal duties. Income from these sources is typically only 2.5 per cent of expenditure, and is often regarded as trivial. This report concludes that, as a result, forces are overlooking potentially significant sources of income which could assist them at a time when they argue that they are under financial pressure. Two areas are highlighted - charging for sporting events, and prisoner handling. It is necessary for the Home Office and the police authorities to reconsider the boundaries between normal police duties and rechargeable services and to put such services on a business-like footing.
