POLICE in Gloucestershire are as “well placed as they can be” to deal with budget cuts over the next five years, according to the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

PCCs in England and Wales have said the police service will have to make fundamental changes to how it is structured and the work it carries out in their analysis of possible future budget reductions.

Gloucestershire’s PCC Martin Surl has warned that tough times are ahead, but that the new operating model for police in the county puts them ahead of the game.

“Frankly, the new police operating model which was launched in July is evidence that we are ahead of the game in Gloucestershire,” said Mr Surl.

“I raised the need for a ‘plan B’ with the chief constable more than two years ago and since then, a joint team comprising the constabulary and my office has been developing new structures, timetables and working practices.

“These are now bedding-in and with the introduction of new technology it’s having a dramatic effect on the way the police now carry out their duties.

“The result is that we are now as ready as we can be given the uncertainty of what we can expect from the next Government’s austerity package over the next four years.

“Make no mistake, these are very challenging times for all public bodies and there’s no doubt it will get tougher for the police before it gets better. We cannot hide from that. However, our finances are sound and we are as well placed as we can be - and much better off than many other forces - to cope with what might be around the corner.”

After the budget in July from the newly elected Conservative government, the chancellor George Osborne, said the Home Office that funds the police would see cuts range from 25 to 40 per cent.

These spending cuts will see at least 22,000 police jobs being lost.

An estimated 17,000 officer posts were eliminated in the last round of cuts under the Conservative-led coalition government between 2010-15.