A TOP policeman has today admitted that redundancies should not be ruled out in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft when the criminal justice units merge.

A TOP policeman has today admitted that redundancies should not be ruled out in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft when the criminal justice units merge.

The majority of the 200 people in the criminal justice units across all three locations will have to reapply for their jobs, as part of a massive strategic review by Suffolk Police to save money. This means their jobs will not be guaranteed.

The review, which aims to save £8m in the county over the next three years, will see a complete overhaul of the criminal justice system.

The criminal justice unit in Bury St Edmunds is closing and will merge with Ipswich and Lowestoft.

Most of the employees at the current criminal justice units will be moved over to detainee processing units. The idea is that the new improved units will handle tasks such as court results, warrants, administration, and accident profiles will be dealt with in police stations.

This will involve reapplying for their jobs, with no guarantee they will get it.

Chief superintendent of Suffolk Police, Carl Puiy, who is in charge of the strategic review, said: “They will have to reapply for jobs because this is a brand new structure. There are 50 vacancies within the constabulary as well so the hope is most people will still work for us but their role may be slightly different.

“I cannot say there won't be redundancies. We are trying to create a leaner, more efficient back office room without affecting the public.”

Under the joint review between the Crown Prosecution Service and Suffolk Police, the criminal justice unit at Bury St Edmunds will close as the lease on Shire Hall, in Bury St Edmunds, expires in December 2008 and there is no other option but to close the building.