The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, has called on the UK Government to increase funding for the police service.
According to the Labour commissioner, Gwent Police has seen its budget reduced by 40% in real terms since the start of the UK Government’s austerity programme in 2010/11.
Mr Cuthbert said this has left him with little choice other than to turn to the local population to ensure Gwent Police has the necessary funds to keep people safe.
In a public survey, Mr Cuthbert is asking residents if they want a 3.99%, 4.99% or 5.99% increase in the police precept – the portion of the council tax bill that pays for policing.
Mr Cuthbert said:“Pressures on police time and resources are increasing. Whether it is from the increase in recorded crime, more complex crimes being committed or a greater need to safeguard the vulnerable in society, the police, more than ever, are being called on to respond.
“Our officers and staff are being stretched like never before. The current funding settlement for policing from the UK Government is insufficient to respond to current demand, let alone further increases. There is an expectation from the UK Government that PCCs will increase the Precept locally to make up for the shortfall.
“My priority remains to ensure that funding is invested directly into frontline policing in Gwent and I am committed to ensuring the Chief Constable has appropriate funds to recruit new officers to tackle emerging crime types such as cybercrime and to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
“I understand that nobody wants to pay more but we have little choice other than to turn to the local population for that input to ensure Gwent Police has the necessary funds to keep people safe.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “This government has protected overall police spending in real terms since the 2015 Spending Review. Gwent Police has received £120.9 million in total direct resource funding this year, which is £3.2 million more than 2015/16.
“In March 2017, Gwent Police had reserves of £51 million, which is equivalent to over 42% of their annual direct resource funding and is the highest proportion across England and Wales.
“We recognise that demand on the police is changing, and we are very sensitive to the pressure they are under. That is why we are reviewing demand and resilience, as well as police plans for greater efficiency and prudent use of over £1.6 billion of financial reserves.”
• Members of the public can submit their views at goo.gl/dVXCLY until Sunday, January 7.
We already pay for a shambles of a service – the answer is not to ask the government for more money – but to stop wasting money on gimmicks and concentrate on frontline policing.
How much money does this shambolic service need? I know a good way to save money get rid of the commissioner and his staff, then put this money towards the police, stop wasting money on gimmicks and finally get rid of the CPOs. Also we can give more of local money to the police by scrapping the Caerphilly council wardens. I’m sure with all these saving they wouldn’t need extra money.
Bang on – the money should be utilised to provide fully trained police officers on the frontline.
It’s time to stop the gimmicks and pandering to the whims of councillors and to actually proactively target crime.
Your saving ideas have merit, Edward. It is the easiest thing in the world for a public body to ask for more money. The problem is governments don’t have any money, it is our money. It comes from people on the minimum wage, it comes from adding 20% (VAT) to nearly everything we buy. It comes from the duty we pay on vehicle fuel. It comes from our council tax bill.
By all means ask for more money, but tell us which taxes you want increased to provide it.
Requesting more money is surely proof that these organisations are unable to manage their budgets properly ?
In difficult times priorities must be decided – and all non essential spending must be stopped.
But as you point,out these organisations are spending our money and seem to feel that asking us for more is not only an easy option but also acceptable
It’s just political show boating John. Note the repetition of “protecting the most vulnerable in society” who are these vulnerable people and who decides? This is never made clear. It is actually the police force’s job to protect all of us in society.
Some of the confusion is due to the Equality Act 2010 which forces the police to spend money on producing reports to demonstrate they are complying with the Act. Have look at this Act which defines people who have ‘a protected characteristic’ and was largely drafted by Labour’s Harriet Harman but was enacted by Cameron and Clegg.
Personally, so far as police work is concerned, I believe all of us should receive equal protection and whatever race, religion, sexual persuaion, ethnic group or disability applies should have absolutely no bearing on how the police deals with you. That is true equality and would save police forces all over the country a fortune.
Gwent Police , Yes the same Force Mr Cuthbert Runs ,The same Force He Claims need’s more money, Have just started a campaign looking for a Green Elf, All force alert, They will as in past years, Put more effort into this Crap,
Than they into Solving Actual Crimes.
There was an Arson Attack in Cefn-Fforest ,Were one Thoroughbred Horse Died & Another was Badly Burned, This occurred on the 26th Nov 2017, There are witnesses who saw youths in the area at the time of the incident, and have contacted the Police, But are still waiting for the Police to visit them, in regards of making a statement.
Mr Cuthbert please divert your concerns, to this Crime.
More money, that’s a laugh, Mr Cuthbert has a team of 17 staff working for him…why?? And two of those are on well over £50K a year. Get rid of some excess staff, trim the wage bill, that’s what those of us in private business have to do, but as is the Labour way they hold out their hands for yet more money from the taxpayer. Strange how Welsh Labour wants devolved powers but still expects Wesminster to pay for everything, change the record Mr Cuthbert we’ve heard it all before.
It’s funny how the private sector is routinely expected to do more with less and yet the public sector bosses always want more ‘funding.’ I see that our poor AMs are ‘run ragged’ and they think more AMs are needed. Okay, let’s have more but insist that the total wages and expenses bill remains the same as it is now. If the AMs genuinely just want to improve the service to the public they will accept that, surely?
Could Mr Cuthbert give us a Breakdown of his Budget for himself and is side kick.
Wait i have it because Mr Cuthbert doesn’t reply to criticism. It’s in the region.
£70,000 plus his deputy £52,500.=£122,500. (Normally a friend, gets to be deputy)
And for what service.
The Labour Party has stated it will get rid of them, But Mr Cuthbert it seem’s believes in the post.
The Crime Commissioner post replaced the former Police Authority and the post was supposed to be more cost effective; efficient and hold Gwent Police to account in respect of their actions and performance.
It has failed miserably on all counts.
Mr Cuthbert asks for more money – when only last week Gwent Police introduced their ” mini Police” – groups of young children who it is envisaged will help the Police to engage with local communities and increase public confidence in the Police.
The only thing that will increase public confidence is more Regular Police Officers on patrol and the cessation of the money wasted on these endless gimmicks !
The good thing about having an elected commissioner is that he or she can be removed by the electorate. The police authorities were stuffed with mediocre people appointed by mediocre politicians. The idea is good but all political parties should be excluded from running candidates in their name.
Otherwise we will have permanent Labour commissioner just as we have a permanent Labour Welsh government; not a healthy democratic outcome. Policing is a matter too important to be left to politicians and all candidates should be independent, whatever their political allegiance. For my own part in the two elections for commissioner I voted independent the first time and for the Plaid Cymru candidate the second time. Not because I have any affiliation with Plaid but because Wales is becoming a one party state, which I do not like.