Avon and Somerset’s police and crime commissioner, Clare Moody, has condemned the “high levels of misogyny” evident in public feedback during the force’s recent annual budget consultation.
The Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s budget for the upcoming year includes a proposed £15 increase in the annual council tax for an average Band D property in Somerset. To gather public input on these plans, the force launched an online consultation from December 19, 2025, to January 28, 2026, actively promoted through social media channels.
Ms. Moody, speaking before the Avon & Somerset police and crime panel meeting in Taunton, expressed concern about the nature of some responses received. The consultation featured a “free text box” option for open-ended comments—a new approach intended to capture honest feedback, though it typically results in fewer responses overall.
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“Unfortunately, we received some very unpleasant comments, and I must highlight that several demonstrated glaring levels of misogyny, targeting both myself and Chief Constable Sarah Crew,” said Ms. Moody. “This reflects a broader problem in public communication today. While we innovated with this consultation method, the total number of responses was insufficient to fully represent public views on policing.”
Only 321 individuals participated in the police budget survey, a significantly lower figure compared to the more than 1,400 respondents to Somerset Council’s annual budget consultation held around the same time.
Among those 321 responses, just under half (44%) directly addressed the police spending plans or funding. Meanwhile, 22% provided feedback unrelated to the budget, and 34% submitted blank or unusable replies.
Critically, 86% of comments about the police budget were negative. Over 62% of respondents expressed little or no confidence in their local police force, and 69% opposed any increase in the police’s portion of council tax.
After approximately two hours of thorough discussion, the police and crime panel unanimously approved the budget, including the proposed £15 council tax increase.