Avon and Somerset Police could face £11m deficit

Avon and Somerset Police force faces an £11m deficit by 2029/30, according to its Police and Crime Commissioner.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol's John Darvall, Clare Moody said "resourcing across the public sector is a challenge".

She added: "The medium-term financial plan is a balanced budget for next year.

"Looking over the coming years we do have that challenge by the end of 2029/30, we are looking at an £11m deficit by that point."

Ms Moody said she was "confident" that current officer numbers would be maintained.

"We've had additional funding from the home office, and we're looking at 70 additional officers coming in to the police, which would make 3,420 officers."

The extra officers will be placed in neighbourhood policing teams, as part of a £100m funding announcement by the government in January.

She said there was a "huge cut" to policing numbers after 2010, and those were now being restored, but there has been a loss of experienced staff.

A police and crime panel meeting in February noted that 40% of police officers at Avon and Somerset Police have fewer than five years' experience on the job.

"It is obviously creating inexperience in the force, but there is an upside to it, which is the opportunity of bringing in fresh ideas, and fresh perspectives," Ms Moody said.

Last month, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services published a PEEL report on Avon and Somerset Police, which said the force required improvement in several areas, including the time it answered 999 calls, and investigating crime.

"I have confidence in the chief constable and the senior management of the police, and I have confidence in their understanding of the issues in the PEEL report and the need to address them," Ms Moody said.

"There's also possibilities of having greater technology involvement in the proper recording of crime, but also automating the responses to make sure it's an effective follow up."

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