Skip to content

Avon and Somerset PEEL 2018

Efficiency

How efficiently does the force operate and how sustainable are its services to the public?

Last updated 20/01/2020
Outstanding

Avon and Somerset Constabulary operates efficiently, and its services are sustainable.

The constabulary is outstanding at planning for the future. Its understanding of demand is becoming increasingly sophisticated.

A hallmark of this constabulary is its impressive use of technology. It has a strong track record of accurately assessing future demand for its services. Now, new modelling programming allows it to accurately predict demand from anywhere between 24 hours and up to 12 months.

The constabulary is also innovative in communicating with the public; we note its use of Facebook community groups and online forums to reach people, and its tailoring of online messaging to reach different communities.

The constabulary’s priorities are clear, and it is making sure that it focuses all change and transformation activity on policing priorities.

The constabulary has a very good track record of making savings. It has discontinued joint ventures that were no longer proving to be beneficial. It is seeking to make efficiency savings through a series of service reviews. It is also working to address the savings that it has yet to identify for its medium-term financial plan.

As well as making savings, the constabulary is committed to investing in a way that supports its priorities. Recently, it was successful in gaining funding for tackling escalating knife crime when initially it had been excluded from this funding.

The constabulary is ambitious in its plans to transform the ways in which it uses its estate. It uses co-locating to good financial effect.

In 2017/18, we judged the constabulary to be outstanding at meeting current demands and using resources.

We set out our detailed findings below. These are the basis for our judgment of the force’s performance in this area.

Questions for Efficiency

2

How well does the force plan for the future?

Outstanding

The constabulary is outstanding at planning for the future.

In past reports, we have complimented the constabulary for its use of technology. It has a strong record of accurately assessing future demand for its services. It performs better than many other forces in its appreciation of the complexity of demand.

The constabulary works effectively with organisations to learn about crime and harm that are likely to be hidden within its communities. For instance, it works closely with charities that support victims of female genital mutilation.

The constabulary takes the views and priorities of local communities into account when policing the region. And it is innovative in communicating online with the public; among other things, the public can now report anti-social behaviour and submit evidence, including video recordings, online.

The constabulary works well to develop its workforce. It moved quickly to establish an 18-month recruitment programme. PCSOs and a Citizens’ Academy have worked to encourage people from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to join the constabulary.

The constabulary’s current financial plans include prudent assumptions about the future. As well as making savings, the constabulary has a strong commitment to investing in support of its priorities. Operation Remedy is bringing together more than 100 officers to tackle burglary, knife crime and county lines criminality.

The constabulary is committed to identifying and nurturing talented staff. Its ‘recruiting for difference’ campaign seeks to improve workforce diversity and leadership.

The constabulary is ambitious and innovative, and it continues to explore opportunities for joint working and collaboration.

Detailed findings for question 2