Gwent Police faces ‘deteriorating performance’, says HMIC report

Gwent Police could be putting crime fighting at risk because of budget cuts, a watchdog has warned.

In a report, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the force faces “deteriorating performance” as vacant posts remain unfilled.

It said: : “HMIC is concerned that continuing to respond to the need for future savings by not replacing staff as they leave – without a thorough understanding of current and future demand – may mean that the force cannot maintain effective levels of service in Gwent.”

Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said: “The funding of Gwent Police and the provision of policing services in Gwent are part of my statutory duties.

“Therefore it is my responsibility to ensure that we have appropriate levels of policing to meet the requirements of the communities we serve whilst making the necessary savings.

“This is not the beginning of that journey and whilst there is no doubt we have some tough challenges ahead, we should not underestimate the fantastic work undertaken by Gwent Police already in achieving over £28 million in recurring savings during the last five years.”

Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said the force understood some of the concerns the report raised.

He said: “The report shows that we are projected to have 95% of our staff on front line duties by 2015 which is where the public want to see them. This is 3% above the national average.

“As with all forces Gwent Police faces big financial cuts which is the largest of the Welsh Forces. Despite our success so far we still need to deliver over £20m more savings by 2017 and this will have seen the funding of the force reduce by over £50m in the past seven years, which is nearly 30% of our total budget.”

Gwent Police could be putting crime fighting at risk because of budget cuts, a watchdog has warned.

In a report, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) said the force faces “deteriorating performance” as vacant posts remain unfilled.

It said: : “HMIC is concerned that continuing to respond to the need for future savings by not replacing staff as they leave – without a thorough understanding of current and future demand – may mean that the force cannot maintain effective levels of service in Gwent.”

Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston said: “The funding of Gwent Police and the provision of policing services in Gwent are part of my statutory duties.

“Therefore it is my responsibility to ensure that we have appropriate levels of policing to meet the requirements of the communities we serve whilst making the necessary savings.

“This is not the beginning of that journey and whilst there is no doubt we have some tough challenges ahead, we should not underestimate the fantastic work undertaken by Gwent Police already in achieving over £28 million in recurring savings during the last five years.”

Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said the force understood some of the concerns the report raised.

He said: “The report shows that we are projected to have 95% of our staff on front line duties by 2015 which is where the public want to see them. This is 3% above the national average.

“As with all forces Gwent Police faces big financial cuts which is the largest of the Welsh Forces. Despite our success so far we still need to deliver over £20m more savings by 2017 and this will have seen the funding of the force reduce by over £50m in the past seven years, which is nearly 30% of our total budget.”