Meeting the escalating demands of policing in Somerset has become increasingly challenging, likened by Chief Constable Sarah Crew to “trying to cover a king-sized bed with a single duvet.” At a recent meeting in Taunton on February 3, the Avon and Somerset Constabulary set its annual budget, which includes a £15 increase in the council tax bill for an average Band D property in Somerset.
Chief Constable Crew highlighted that despite increased crime reporting, her officers are solving more cases than the previous year. The budget increase was described as the minimum necessary step to prevent further damaging cuts to neighbourhood policing teams, which are vital to community safety.
Official police figures reveal a complex picture: while overall crime reports have risen by 22 percent since 2022, neighbourhood crime has decreased by five percent. Additionally, there have been notable reductions in recorded knife crime (14 percent) and serious youth violence (6 percent) over the last year. Public confidence in the police has also improved, with a 10.2 percent increase in those rating their performance as “good or excellent,” positioning Avon and Somerset as one of the UK’s top-performing forces.
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The force has also seen a significant rise in charges related to rape and serious sexual offences, alongside maintaining some of the best 999 emergency response times nationally. However, these successes come amid ever-growing demands on resources. Officers dedicate more than 77,000 hours annually to continuous supervision in custody suites and over 62,000 hours to mental health-related incidents, limiting availability for other policing areas.
Council members acknowledged improved performance but voiced concerns over the community’s tolerance for ongoing council tax increases. Councillor Martin Wale, a retired police officer, stressed the need for more transparent reporting on positive crime outcomes, questioning the visibility of arrests and prosecutions in current communications. Ms. Crew responded by emphasizing that despite increased demand and recording of more crimes, the number of solved cases has increased by nearly 2,000 compared to the previous year.
Labour Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody supported the precept rise as essential to maintain current policing levels, cautioning it would not immediately boost positive crime outcomes. Chief Financial Officer Paul Butler explained that future budgets would require additional neighborhood policing officers and anticipated continued pressure for savings amid government policing reforms.
After a thorough two-hour debate, the police and crime panel unanimously approved the budget, including the council tax increase. Panel chair Councillor Heather Shearer acknowledged the necessity of the rise despite the ongoing cost of living crisis. She emphasized that the increased funding must translate into tangible improvements for communities to maintain public confidence. Ms. Moody’s office and the constabulary are committed to addressing concerns about declining confidence, focusing on improving positive outcomes across Somerset.