HUMBERSIDE Police will see its budget cut by almost £2 million this year in a bid to tackle the country's £163 billion deficit.

Police Minister Nick Herbert said the police had to make their "fair share of savings" as the Home Office announced efficiency savings worth £367 million yesterday.

Overall, police authorities in England and Wales will lose out on £125 million, including cuts of £1.8 million for Humberside Police.

In 2010-11, Humberside Police had been promised £72.7 million, which has now been reduced to £70.9 million.

The force's capital grant has also been slashed from £2.2 million to £2 million, the Home Office has revealed.

In a statement to Parliament, Mr Herbert said: "As part of the Government's plan to cut the budget deficit and get the economy moving again, I am confirming my intention to require the police to make a fair share of the savings needed.

"I welcome the responsible and constructive way in which policing partners have already responded to the Chancellor's announcement of his plans to reduce the national budget deficit.

"Total Home Office cuts will be £367 million and in order to minimise the impact on the police service the Home Office will cut a greater than proportionate share of its central budget by bearing down on overheads and reducing waste, including significant cuts to consultancy services, marketing costs and travel.

"However, the police need to contribute towards the overall reduction and I will therefore ask every police authority to make a fair share of savings."

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