CONSERVATIVES REMAIN PROUD OF OUR POLICE FORCE (16/12/05)

Following a meeting of the Somerset County Council Scrutiny Committee this week, the Conservative Group reiterated their support for our police force.

Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “Recent figures demonstrate that Avon and Somerset Constabulary are making excellent progress in the battle against crime.”

“In the midst of unsettling arguments about reorganisation and mergers, Avon and Somerset Police Force continue to get on with their job, and do it well. Between 2001/02 and 2004/05 there have been substantial reductions in the priority crime categories: Domestic Burglary has been reduced by 40%, which is 6,400 fewer victims; Robbery by 54% or 2,100 fewer victims; Thefts of Motor Vehicles by 42% or 5,100 fewer victims and Thefts from Motor Vehicles by 40 % which is 11,600 fewer victims.”

“Further reductions have been made in the last 8 months and in many cases these are the lowest figures for the last 20 years.”

He added, “We understand that many in our communities are concerned about crime. The Chief Constable is aware of this. However, these figures are highly impressive and they demonstrate that Avon & Somerset Police Force is able to achieve real results in the fight against crime. When we recently tried to unite the political will of the County Council behind the Constabulary, the Liberal Democrats and Labour were of the opinion that Avon and Somerset as a stand-alone force is no longer appropriate. Hopefully this excellent performance will convince them that Avon & Somerset Constabulary should remain.”

Avon & Somerset Police also received a favourable Assessment when it was inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary recently.

These results have been achieved thanks to the investment the Authority has put into policing and the dedication and devotion to duty of the excellent police officers, Police Community Support Officers and police staff. We are proud of our Police Force.

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1 For further information or comment, please contact Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the Conservative Group, Somerset County Council, on 01823 356784 or 01823 430628

2 At the County Council meeting 23 November 2005, Liberal Democrats, with Labour, failed to support the Conservative Motion proposing that Avon & Somerset Constabulary should remain throughout the Police restructuring process.

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

Policing in Somerset

“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”

4 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.”