By Gavin Mackintosh-
West Yorkshire Police spent almost a quarter of a million pounds on photocopying in the first three months of 2018 – equivalent to 12 new police officers.
The astronomical sum of £242,354 was built up in just 3 months, in three separate instalments of £106,210, £115,508 and £20,635 paid to contractor Konica East Direct Ltd.
Spending on photocopying at the beginning of this year was £50,000 more than in the first three months of 2017, bringing the total to £191,551.73.
In the 2016/17 financial year, the total cost was £721,517 and during 2017/18 this figure was £754,927 – just over three quarters of a million pounds
officers since 2010, spent £4million in two years on agency and temporary staff. The revelation is absolutely shocking and questions the judgement of those who presided over the decision to spend such money.
A spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police told The Eye Of Media.Com that ”the Force’s spending on photocopying has remained relatively consistent over the past couple of years and continues to be actively monitored and managed”.
The force said that focusing on an individual month within a particular financial year, ”only offers a snapshot of the Force’s spending”.
Police numbers have dropped significantly over the past few years due to funding cuts, making the news of the spending jaw dropping. Elements that make up our photocopying charges, including the rental of machines and the quantity of the copies themselves have contributed to the very high costs.
The force also insists that the number of copies made depends largely upon ongoing ”operational and business requirements and can vary in any given month”.
”The Force’s internal reprographics department generates a high number of copies, which often influences costs”, the Force said.
Nick Smart, chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, said the spending should be looked at again.
He said: “From our perspective we are aware of the costs involved and understand it is a necessary admin function.
“What we hope to see is that such costs are reviewed and kept to a minimum.”
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “This huge bill for photocopying will certainly raise eyebrows.
“Technology has enabled many organisations in the private sector to adapt and improve processes, so perhaps these best practices can’t be employed in the public sector as well.”
