'Today is a landmark moment for policing' - T/CC Maggie Blyth

Statement from Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth following the publication of the police reform white paper. 

“Today (26 January) is a landmark moment for policing in England and Wales.

“The plans laid out by the Government provide the investment in policing that the public and our workforce need. They are wide ranging and ambitious and will get us ready to fight crime and protect the public in the years to come.

“The current model of policing is outdated, ineffective and inefficient and as a result, the public face a ‘postcode lottery’ of the policing services they get.

“This financial year, Gloucestershire Constabulary has had to make savings of more than £12m to balance its budget, which is proportionately the most any police force in the country has had to make. The forecast for the next few years looks equally challenging and regrettably, further cuts seem inevitable.

“A National Police Service could take away a lot of the financial responsibilities on forces, such as the procurement of vehicles, uniform, IT and forensic services.

“We are currently investing in our IT but compared to other forces, our systems are extremely dated and are incapable of running the latest software, such as facial recognition, or some Artificial Intelligence. This is frustrating and exposes communities to unnecessary risks.

“Our officers, staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to protect the public. But the nature of crime is becoming more and more complex – evolving quicker, taking longer to investigate and requiring more specialist skills. Criminals cross borders and increasingly operate online, with 90 per cent of crime now having a digital element.

“Even with the upgrades we’re implementing, I am not confident Gloucestershire Constabulary will have the technology or the specialist capabilities to be able to meet future expectations of us.

“Creating a national force which takes responsibility for tackling the threats faced by every community – things like serious organised crime, fraud, terrorism and violence against women and girls – will be hugely beneficial.

“Knowing these threats are being managed will allow neighbourhood police teams to relentlessly focus on the everyday needs of their communities – apprehending shoplifters and burglars, tackling anti-social behaviour and keeping vulnerable people safe from harm.

“I will be working alongside other police leaders with the Government on the plans laid out in the white paper today and look forward to seeing how a more streamlined policing service might be structured.

“Appreciating reform will take several years to implement, should there be an opportunity for Gloucestershire Constabulary to have an early role in a new look police service, then I would also be keen for us to be involved.

“Reform is urgently needed to ensure all communities, including Gloucestershire, are provided with policing services which are capable of tackling modern day crime, which are focused on their needs and which are delivered cost effectively.”