PEOPLE in Somerset will rarely see a police officer and public safety is being put at risk by savage funding cuts, it is claimed today, Tuesday, March 10.

Avon and Somerset Police Federation says office numbers have plummeted and response times increased as part of its #CutsHaveConsequences campaign launched today.

The organisation, which represents the region’s frontline police officers, fears multi-million pound budget cuts – with more to come – could spell the end of neighbourhood policing as we know it.

Chairman Kevin Phillips said officer numbers have fallen from 3,356 officers in March 2010 to 2,728 – with concerns the force will be down to 2,570 officers within two years.

He added: “The thin blue line can’t get any thinner. Officers and staff are run ragged, over-stretched and morale is at an all time low.

“Avon and Somerset Constabulary is becoming unrecognisable. We have lost more than 600 officers in the past four years.

“That’s fewer officers to respond to violence, burglaries and concerns for welfare.

“If these cuts continue, who will be left to serve the public when they need it the most?

“We need police officers on the ground to patrol in our communities and to keep people safe.

“We need them to fight on-line crime, child sexual exploitation and extremism.

“The threat to people is real and yet the police service is being torn apart.”

The #CutsHaveConsequences campaign will highlight the consequences of cuts to policing budgets in Avon and Somerset and what they will mean to the tax-paying public – for details visit www.cutshaveconsequences.uk.

Mr Phillips said cuts ion Avon and Somerset had led to.

*reduced specialist roles such as IT, HR and admin, while a ‘strategic alliance’ with Wiltshire Police is on the cards.

*roads policing and dog units are now shared with Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

*response times have risen over four years – urban emergency calls within 15 minutes are down from 93% to 88%, rural calls inside 20 minutes from 88% to 83%, and priority call rates have reduced from 77% to 69%.

*front counters and police stations have closed and more face closure.

*staff sickness are up due to stress and exhaustion from increased workloads.

Mr Phillips added: “We need our police force to be properly resourced so we can give the best service we can to our communities.

“Our members work hard and they want to do an excellent job, but they are telling us that cutting their numbers is having a detrimental effect on their ability to fight crime.

“PCSOs are being used to plug the gaps, but they do not have the same skills, experience or powers, and we are increasingly looking to volunteer Special Constables to supplement our frontline.”

 

FACTFILE.

*Avon and Somerset Police Federation represents around 2,600 frontline police officers – PCs, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors.

*Over the last four years Avon and Somerset Constabulary has endured £45.9million in cuts. Between 2015 and 2018 increasing costs and decreasing funding means that if more savings are not made Avon and Somerset could end up with a £22.9million deficit by 2018/19.

*The Police Federation exists to protect the interests, welfare, conditions of service and health and safety of police officers and also to help Avon and Somerset Constabulary with force efficiency.

*It is also the Federation’s role to act in – and protect - the public interest.

*The amount the force asks council tax payers for will go up by 1.99% in April – around 6.5p per week on the average household bill.

*The force’s budget for next year has been set at £268million.