AVON and Somerset Police are facing a financial “tipping point”, according to a letter and report sent to central government.

In the report sent to police and fire minister Nick Hurd by PCC Sue Mountstevens and chief constable Andy Marsh, it states that the force, which has been recognised as outstanding in its efficiency, has done so by continually transforming and innovating.

But despite “a strict curb” on pay increases, and with officers showing “tremendous resilience, professionalism and commitment,” the report says that the force cannot sustain funding cuts without “extremely serious consequences.”

The force has been hit hard by savings of £65million and 655 fewer police officers since the government’s first comprehensive spending review in 2010

A further £17million also needs to be found by 2021/22 to balance the budget.

But the force says that the demand it faces is continually increasing and growing in complexity with the likes of extremism, globalisation, organised crime and drugs.

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Chief constable Andy Marsh said: “The challenging and tragic incidents of the last two weeks – Hastings Road, two fatal collisions on the M5 and the rise in the national terror threat to critical – are a tangible demonstration of the stretch we are facing.

“Our staff have risen to the challenge to keep people safe, reassured and comforted with humanity, empathy and professionalism in very difficult circumstances.

“But our continuing ability to safeguard communities, protect the vulnerable, and manage major incidents of this kind is being severely tested. It’s simply not sustainable.

“In times of rising costs, increased pressure and minimal pay increases, vocation is no longer always enough.

”We’ve reached a tipping point. There are serious choices to be made and we don’t believe we can or should make those alone.

“We believe the time has come for others to share the risk, and budget decisions and future choices about funding should be made in the full knowledge of what they are.”

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “We have reached the point where enough is enough and policing in Avon and Somerset cannot be stretched any further.

“With yet another terror attack on the country’s capital, the reverberations felt locally continue to test all those responsible for ensuring the continued safety of our local communities.

“We need investment in policing, funding to strengthen our neighbourhood policing teams in order to focus on prevention, tackling terrorism before it happens.

“When the Government say there is ‘extra policing on the ground’ this does not mean we are magically given additional officers to increase our numbers.

“What this means is we are forced to ask officers, PCSOs, staff and volunteers, who are already working hard, to do even more; extending their shifts, adding to their tasks and increasing their workload.

“The chief constable and I are already making some difficult choices locally based on our reducing budgets, lack of funding and investment and diminishing resources.

“It’s important that the Government know what we face locally and understand the consequences of our current situation and the implications on the service we are able to deliver as a result.”