SPENDING on police informants in the region has been cut back markedly in recent years.

New figures show that in the last three years West Mercia Police paid out an average of £35,228 a year to informants.

But the average had been running at more than £40,000 and in 2013-14 the total paid out topped £55,000.

In all, figures for the last eight years so the force paid out £333,843.

The information has been revealed following Freedom of Information requests to all the country’s forces from Portsmouth University journalism department.

Results show UK police spent at least £13.6m over the last five years.

Forces are reluctant to discuss payments in too much detail, because of the sensitive nature of the operations and the risks to informants.

But they say informants can provide vital information in solving and preventing crime.

Nationally it is thought most informants help in drugs-related cases.

But West Mercia say information provided has been vital in a range of cases, from serious organized crime to burglary.

Superintendent James Tozer said: "The use of police informants to assist investigations is just one tool that we can use to both prevent and detect crime.

“Their use has proved vital in bringing offenders to justice in cases ranging from serious organised crime to burglary.

“The process for undertaking such activity is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000, the Home Office (2014) CHIS Code of Practice, and Police Approved Professional Practice (APP)."