Avon and Somerset PCC: Budget 'ignored' police cash fears
- Published
Independent Sue Mountstevens said the current police funding position was "not sustainable"
The government has "ignored" the fears of police forces by not mentioning funding during the Budget, Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.
Sue Mountstevens said she was "disappointed" the concerns of PCCs and police chiefs had not been addressed.
She added the current funding position was "not sustainable and risks the safety of local people".
The Home Office insisted police spending had been "protected".
In September, Independent Ms Mountstevens said rising threat levels due to terror and organised crime had left Avon and Somerset at "tipping point" after years of funding cuts.
She said an extra £17m of savings were required by 2021/22, and the force could not sustain further funding cuts "without extremely serious consequences".
Budget 2017: UK growth forecast cut by Hammond
The Home Office insists police funding has been protected since 2015
Reacting to Chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget, Ms Mountstevens said: "I am disappointed that the government appears to have ignored the concerns of PCCs and chiefs across the country.
"We've all said that the current position is not sustainable and risks the safety of local people.
"We will have to wait until December to understand the picture more clearly.
"However if it is as I fear, I will be having a conversation with local people about what the police continue to do and what they prioritise."
The Home Office said police funding had increased £475m since 2015 and overall police spending had been protected in real terms.
A spokesman added: "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 £1.6bn of financial reserves."
- Published19 September 2017
