NO SURRENDER ON OUR POLICE FORCE (28/11/05)

Conservatives promise to fight for Avon and Somerset Police Force during the current consultation on the future of police organisation.

In an effort to unite the political will of the County Council behind our police force, the Conservatives asked councillors of all sides to pledge their support at a Full Council meeting. The Liberal Democrats, followed by Labour, refused to do so, stating “the status-quo of Avon and Somerset Constabulary as a stand-alone force is no longer appropriate for the people of Somerset.”

Alan Ham, Conservative Group Spokesman on Police, said “We are disappointed that we could not reach cross-party agreement on this issue. Politics should not come into this. The other parties agreed with our arguments, especially as regards to enhancing local and neighbourhood policing, but are not prepared to support Avon and Somerset Police Force.”

“The fact is that Avon and Somerset Police have made huge strides over recent years and it is a high performing police force. It has the critical mass to deliver the services we need. We do not agree that it needs to be replaced, absorbed or abolished.”

David Heathcoat-Amory, MP for Wells, agreed “It is essential that we resist the momentum towards a regional police force and maintain our local constabulary. I am disappointed that the Liberal Democrats and Labour at County Hall do not support this. I will be raising the issue again at the House of Commons and with the Government.”

At a recent meeting with Colin Port, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, David Heathcoat-Amory and Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater, made clear their opposition to any moves towards a regional force.

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1 Full text of Motion submitted by the Conservatives to Council:

Policing in Somerset

Christopher Wolverson will ask the Council to adopt the following resolution:-

“This Council

recognises the commitment of the Avon and Somerset Police Authority to continue to improve force performance with the objective of attaining the top quartile of the prescribed family of similar forces in 2007/08;

welcomes the provision for a wide range of citizen focused police measures by November 2008 identified in the initial 2006/07 budget discussions – in particular the establishment of neighbourhood policing throughout the constabulary area, together with the recruitment of additional Police Community Support Officers, is to be applauded;

supports the views of the Avon and Somerset Police Authority and Constabulary that the review of Protective Services in the HMIC ‘Closing the Gap’ paper is sound, and that the creation of Strategic Forces is necessary;

believes that the Avon and Somerset Force should be one of the Strategic Forces as required in the South West by the Home Secretary”

2. The Liberal Democrat amendment, supported by Labour, deleted the final paragraph of the above amendment and replaced it with:

“believes the Home Secretary in seeking Strategic Police Force areas in the South West makes the overriding imperative of improved governance and accountability at a local neighbourhood (ward) level to be the primary outcome; and that the status quo of Avon and Somerset Constabulary as a stand-alone force is no longer appropriate for the people of Somerset.”

3. For further information or comment, please contact Alan Ham, Conservative Group Spokesman for Police, on 01934 712619