Gwent Commissioner comments on Privatisation of Policing functions

I gave a firm commitment during my campaign that core policing functions would not be privatised. That will remain to be 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.

People who call on the Police for help are sometimes at their most vulnerable and in need of specialist support and compassion.

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 look to work with other Forces and other Public Sector organisations to identify and provide savings and improve the service to the Public.

As I work, with others, towards setting the Budget for 2013/14, my challenge will be to provide the public with the best possible service against a background of a diminishing Budget.