Police commissioners call for police cars to carry EasyJet adverts

The announcement comes after chief constables revealed several types of theft have been downgraded and are no longer followed up by officers

The police said they were not a cab service

Several commissioners have called for patrol cars to carry advertising from brands such as EasyJet as a way of alleviating the impact of the budget cuts.

The announcement comes after a number of chief constables revealed several types of theft have been downgraded due to cuts - meaning many are no longer followed up by officers.

Olly Martins, the Befordshire police and crime commissioner, made the suggestion for patrol cars to carry adverts at a meeting of the Home Affairs Committee.

Mr Martins said he would welcome EasyJet logos on cars in his area due to its close proximity to Luton Airport - although Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Craig Mackey said he felt the advertising could be problematic.

“We would like to look at the whole issue of sponsorship, how you can help policing,” the Daily Mail reported Mr Mackey as saying.

The idea comes amid reports that six police and crime commissioners have threatened legal action over proposals as to how their budgets are distributed among the forces, with some worried that rural areas will be disproportionally affected by the cuts.