Unison is calling for the proposals to be shelved, while the force says it needs to save £5m
Stock picture of Humberside Police vehicles(Image: Humberside Police)
A union says plans being made at Humberside Police could lead to more than 30 experienced police staff losing their jobs. The changes are part of Operation Balance, which the force says will streamline services.
However, Humberside Police has failed to provide an adequate explanation for why the plans are actually needed, according to Unison. Many of the 32 police staff that could be at risk of losing their jobs have worked for the force for more than a decade, the union added, and have built up considerable knowledge, skills and experience.
These include staff working in domestic abuse teams, as well as 12 investigating officers and three licensing officers. CCTV specialists, warrants officers and a missing-persons officer could also be affected, the union said. Unison says it has been told the workload currently undertaken by police staff at risk would be transferred to the force’s officers.
The union also understands Humberside Police intends to recruit more officers to the force. This raises “serious questions” about the rationale for making experienced police staff redundant, it argued.
As well as the potential job losses, the force is also intending on having no police community support officers (PCSOs) working beyond 8pm to save money, the union said. Natalie Ratcliffe, Unison Yorkshire and Humberside regional lead for police, said: “This appears to be a direct attack on some of the lowest-paid workers in Humberside Police.
“These highly skilled and experienced police staff face losing their livelihoods. That’s not because their work has disappeared, but because the force has decided it should be carried out by someone else.
“These changes will inevitably result in fewer police officers on the streets of Hull, East Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire. The force must reconsider.”
Police staff include 999 call takers, emergency dispatchers, scenes of crime officers, custody officers, financial investigators, crime analysts, fingerprint experts, counter terrorism specialists, cyber-crime investigators, digital forensic staff, CCTV operators and many more roles. Chief Constable Chris Todd said: “Operation Balance is a programme of work developed to identify and deliver savings which are needed to ensure Humberside Police remains financially sustainable – but fundamentally it’s about ensuring our operating model is as efficient and effective as it can be so we can continue to deliver a service to our communities that we’re proud of.
“As part of the Operation Balance programme, reviews of several teams and departments have been completed to address the force’s financial position and future operating model. As part of this review some potential workforce reductions have been identified.
“The Operation Balance team is working with unions and staff associations to ensure those who may be impacted are consulted with about any proposed changes, and we will continue working with and supporting them throughout the process with meaningful consultations. Like many other public sector organisations Humberside Police needs to make savings.
“The reality is that Humberside Police has £5m to save and we are examining all aspects of the organisation to make sure it is as effective and efficient as possible. The focus of Operation Balance is to realise the necessary savings required to make the force financially sustainable.
“Formal consultation with staff, and relevant staff associations, including Unison, who may be impacted began in August 2026. It isn’t as simple as the force deciding the roles should be carried out by someone else; these are very difficult decisions for us to make.
“We recognise the impact they will have on colleagues, but they are essential for the future of Humberside Police.” The union’s call to Humberside Police to think again about the job cuts comes as Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside, provided his initial reaction to the annual state of policing report from His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMICFRS).
Mr Evison said: “I am pleased the annual report provides independent evidence that Humberside Police has continued to deliver strong performance around neighbourhood policing and as Police and Crime Commissioner, I will continue to ensure the Chief Constable provides a service that meets the needs of the public. Investment in areas such as police officer numbers, neighbourhood policing, partnership working, anti-social behaviour and vulnerability are already delivering results for local people.
“This supports my continued focus on our communities and confidence in policing, as outlined in my Police and Crime Plan. Humberside Police continues to be a leader in public contact and response, with some of the best call answer and response times in the country – an area that impacts heavily on confidence in policing.
“I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure policing remains accessible and responsive, with a strong focus on victims. I will ensure that my assurance work with the Chief Constable spotlights those areas raised in the report, including investigation quality and outcomes for victims along with workforce resilience and digital transformation.
“The report also outlines the significant national reforms of policing which lie ahead, including changes to structures, governance and performance accountability. Though these plans lie at odds with the Prime Minister’s agenda on devolving powers to regions, they remain on the table.
“While I am concerned that police force mergers seriously risk policing becoming more remote from communities and weaken local accountability, I will strive to protect Humberside Police’s strong performance and ensure accountability and community priorities remain central to any future national model.”
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