Police spending on translation services has surged to over £19 million per year, according to new data. The figures reveal that on average, each force spent more than £450,000 on translation and interpretation services during the last financial year of 2022-23.
The rising costs have raised concerns among taxpayers, with many questioning the need for such a significant expenditure. The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests to police forces across the UK, comes in the wake of the country setting a new record for net migration. The Office for National Statistics recently revised its estimated migration figure to 745,000 for the year up to December 2022, up from the previous estimate of 606,000.
Baroness Falkner of Margravine, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has warned that integration efforts may be failing following a decade of increasing migration. The figures highlight the significant financial burden that translation services pose on police forces, with total spending reaching £19,616,307 in 2022-23, marking an £818,518 increase from the previous year.
Notably, the Metropolitan Police in London spent a substantial £6,471,436 on translation and interpretation services, reflecting the large and diverse population they serve. Rupert Lowe, Reform UK’s Business Spokesman, criticized the high translation costs, suggesting that funds could be better allocated to enhancing law enforcement efforts rather than interpretation services.
While some of the costs include sign language interpreters, the use of translation platforms and qualified translators for evidential material is essential. The escalating expenses are likely to prompt calls for new measures to facilitate the integration of foreign migrants into UK society.
In response to the concerns raised, a National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson emphasized the importance of effective communication with all individuals in police interactions to ensure public safety and gather accurate evidence. They noted that language interpretation services are essential to uphold the rights of victims, witnesses, and suspects of crimes.
Despite the significant expenditure on translation services, the Home Office reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the police in maintaining public safety. The Government’s funding for additional police officers and overall police funding settlement demonstrate the ongoing support for law enforcement agencies.
As discussions continue on the cost of translation services in police forces, there is a growing call for resource optimization and the utilization of new technologies to streamline these expenses. The balancing act between investing in effective communication tools and allocating resources for core policing functions remains a key challenge for law enforcement agencies.
