A MAJOR shake-up of policing across the county is due to come into effect following the revelation that Gloucestershire’s force could lose up to £20 million in the next four years.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl, along with Chief Constable Suzette Davenport and other senior members of Gloucestershire Constabulary, held a conference in Stroud District Council Chambers on Monday to discuss the police response to expected central government cuts.

Despite the focus predominantly being on positive changes, Mr Surl did say that cuts were likely to render the service “not as good” as it has previously been, likely to prompt large-scale redundancies.

The reorganisation was described in the panel’s own words as “the most comprehensive review of Gloucestershire Constabulary in 40 years”.

The new “operating model” is the result of a two-year-long examination of the constabulary’s finances, buildings and resources.

Ms Davenport talked about the work carried out to create a “stronger and leaner” county-wide police force, stressing the importance of well-managed organisation of resources.

She said: “The decisions we are making to realise these aims are based on solid evidence, recognised best practice from other forces and organisations, and by involving officers and staff in engineering new approaches.

“We need to improve public satisfaction and confidence in our force and ensure we can deliver the quality service we aspire to provide. A new way of working is a crucial means for us to deliver this aspiration."

“We are already making some important decisions and will continue to make more on where, when and how we work. All these decisions are intended to improve the service we offer to the people of Gloucestershire.”

When asked about the effect these changes would have on smaller towns in the county like Dursley or Wotton-under-Edge, the response from the panel was that the impact would be less dramatic.

Head of corporate services Hannah Young said: “I think there’s a fear that as we shrink we will see our police going back to the centres of Cheltenham and Gloucester.

“But actually, what we’ve seen with our changes to scale in our centres is that we’re able to maintain our presence in those smaller communities.”

Mr Surl added that while the changes in rural areas would be less drastic he would expect some to be apparent.

He said: “The days of having officers out on patrol just in case is not something I can really ask the chief constable to do any more, the same way you wouldn’t see an ambulance patrolling around in case somebody breaks a leg.”

Though generally framed in a positive light, there was admission that the financial loss would most likely damage the service.

Mr Surl conceded: “Speaking in the context of £20 million cuts, if I want to see my doctor I have to wait several days to get an appointment.

“The service, with £20 million less, might not be quite as good. I’m just trying to be realistic.

“We’re going to have to be doing less of something and it will be less of what the public would like.”

He added that redundancies would have to occur but was unable to speculate on the scale of the downsize.

In a more positive announcement, it was revealed that developments in mobile technology would see more officers and PCSOs working in their communities and not stuck on computers in stations.

Also, higher levels of freedom for officers will see them deployed beyond their own neighbourhood policing area if they are the nearest resource.

The first of the changes is due to begin in early 2015.