Gwent Commissioner responds to funding announcement

In the current economic climate producing a balanced budget which ensures that Gwent Police provides an excellent service to the public is always going to be challenging.

Agreeing the budget will involve a lot of difficult decisions, but one area where I will not compromise on is privatisation.

Since my election I have received many emails and messages urging me not to privatise Gwent Police.

I gave a firm commitment during my campaign that core policing functions would not be privatised. That remains the case. The Government is cutting Police Budgets by 20% and every Police Force in England and Wales will be expected to do more with less.

Some Forces have looked to make savings by privatising some of their functions in order to save money in the short term. However, the promise of short term savings, in my view, invariably leads to a poorer service to the public and increased spending in the long term.

My personal experience is that the overwhelming majority of Public Sector workers are dedicated and provide excellent value for money.

I want to make it absolutely clear that whilst I serve as the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, the work currently undertaken by warranted Police Officers and Community Support Officers will continue to be carried out by Police Officers and Community Support Officers.

I accept that Gwent Police should always look to improve its service to the Public and be more efficient in the way it operates. We will continue to work with other Forces and other Public Sector organisations to identify and provide savings and improve the service to the Public.