Avon and Somerset Police Face £11m Deficit by 2029, Says Crime Commissioner

National World - LocalTV

Avon and Somerset Police could face an £11m funding shortfall by 2029/30, according to Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody. She acknowledged financial challenges but said next year’s budget remains balanced. Despite the projected deficit, Moody expressed confidence in maintaining officer numbers.

Transcript

00:00Avon and Somerset Police face substantial financial pressures, forecasting an 11 million

00:07pound deficit by the end of 2029 financial year. Speaking directly to BBC Radio Bristol's John

00:15Darvell, the Police and Crime Commissioner Claire Moody acknowledged the financial strain, stating

00:22resourcing across the public sector is a challenge, adding clearly that the immediate financial future

00:28is stable, but difficult choices lie ahead. Despite the projected shortfall, Commissioner

00:34Moody expressed confidence that current policing numbers would remain steady. She confirmed an

00:41increase of 70 additional officers. However, staffing levels alone aren't the only issue

00:49facing the force. According to a recent report published by His Majesty's Inspectorate of

00:56Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, Avon and Somerset Police were flagged for needing

01:02significant improvements in key areas, particularly the handling of 999 emergency calls and also the

01:11foreignness of criminal investigations. The Police Crime Panel highlighted that 40% of the current

01:20police workforce has fewer than five years experience. The Commissioner also expressed

01:26ongoing confidence in Chief Constable Sarah Crewe and senior management's ability to respond

01:32effectively to the critical issues identified, including potential technological improvements

01:39to enhance response times and also investigate effectiveness.

Category

Transcript

Recommended