South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2005 | September | 23
From the archive, first published Friday 23rd Sep 2005.
AVON and Somerset Constabulary's chief constable believes the time is right to examine the future shape of policing.
Colin Port spoke out this week in response to Home Secretary Charles Clarke's plans, announced last Friday, for a major shake-up to the nation's police service.
Mr Clarke wants to merge all small police forces so no force in England and Wales would be below 4,000 police officers. Avon and Somerset has 3,398 officers along with 5,403 staff.
Chief Constable Port this week welcomed the consultation on changes, which will take place over a three-month period.
After a meeting of all chief constables and heads of local police authorities in London on Monday, Mr Port said: "I believe that the time is right to examine the future shape of policing and to further integrate the key areas identified by the report and the Home Secretary's comments.
"It is essential that we continue to provide locally-based services - and at the same time prepare ourselves for the challenges of a modern day society and the risks imposed, such as terrorism and serious and organised crime.
"We aim to provide excellent local policing which the developing Neighbourhood Policing teams will deliver."
Some forces were told they must improve the level of protective services offered.
However, Mr Port commented: "In Avon and Somerset we have a long and successful history of tackling serious and organised crime and have, I feel, been able to offer many of the protective services discussed today.
"We need to reinforce our local policing approach to ensure that communities know and are able to contact their local policing teams. To this end we are in the process of refining a policing model that will deliver this to our communities."
Chairman of Avon and Somerset Police Authority Dr Moira Hamlin said: "We all agree that neighbourhood policing is the foundation stone for any development in policing. Our role is to ensure that at all levels of policing we offer protection to our people and communities.
"We also want to continue to provide a quality level of service to those who come into contact with the police in Avon and Somerset at all levels"
© Newsquest Media Group 2008