Avon and Somerset Police must improve performance

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Oct 2009

"Must do better" is the verdict on the performance of Avon and Somerset Police following an independent report by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Commenting on the report into Avon and Somerset Police, which rates the performance of police forces in delivering the 10 'Policing Pledges', Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Weston-super-Mare said:

"Avon and Somerset Police have plenty of room for improvement having been rated as 'fair' across all areas. Clearly, they must do better.

"I am particularly concerned at the low level of time the police spend tackling local priorities in Weston. This must be improved as a matter or urgency.

"However, the Government is only making life harder for Avon and Somerset Police by consistently underfunding them compared to other areas.

"The number of police on our streets is in the bottom tier of all police forces in the country. Until that changes, people in Weston will see crimes unsolved and calls to the police unanswered."