South Wales Police is maintaining its service to the public despite the challenges it faces, according to a major report published yesterday by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
The report is the Inspectorate’s annual overview of the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales. The report, issued by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Tom Winsor, highlights South Wales Police as policing a complex environment, and points out that policing the capital city of Wales presents particular challenges.
It concludes that despite these challenges the force is “making savings without reducing the service to the public and is putting itself in a strong position to manage future changes in funding.”
The report also highlights the fact that South Wales Police has “used technology well to support the efficiency of frontline officers and approaches to change, through innovation and strong staff engagement.”
The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Rt Hon Alun Michael, welcomed the report’s “encouraging comments” about South Wales Police and the fact that the challenge of policing the capital city is acknowledged by the Inspectorate. But he said he was disappointed that the report failed to spell out the major financial challenges the Force faces over the next couple of years.
“I share the view of the Inspectorate that the Chief Constable has been right to face up to the cuts quickly and lay strong foundations for the future, but that doesn’t alter the size of the impact on policing,” he said.
“From a high point of 3,400 police officers, the cut in the money coming from the Home Office means that South Wales Police will be down to an establishment of 2,800 for the coming year, and you can’t take a cut of 600 police officers in a Force of our size without it putting more pressure on everyone. We have a set of really healthy partnership arrangements with Welsh Government and with partners in local government and the health service – and also with the fire and ambulance services – which will help as everyone tries to do more with less and as we demonstrate our shared commitment to maintain the downward trajectory of crime in our area. But only trained and experienced police officers and staff can provide the responses that are needed by the public when things go wrong, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Deputy Chief Constable Matt Jukes said: “Today’s report makes very clear the financial constraints and difficulties that all police forces are working under. Despite this South Wales Police continues to make progress in delivering the savings we need whilst delivering for victims of crime and our communities. Our use of technology, which is highlighted in the report as a positive, as well as flexibility and innovation within the force has helped us to achieve this. Crime reduction and victim satisfaction are at the best levels for a generation. However, there are many more challenges for us going forward and further financial pressures on a service which has already responded to the need for change”
