GWENT Police have been rated ‘good’ for the third year in a row in a report assessing efficiency and leadership.

The ‘Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Leadership’ report has awarded its second-highest rating and explores how the force uses resources currently and how it plans to do so in the future.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published the report praising Gwent Police's financial planning and said there were no causes for concern.

Other highlights stated the force had achieved improvements through working in collaboration, being proactive in seeking out new opportunities for service improvement and “making good use of technology to achieve its understanding of demand”.

The report added the force had a “good understanding of the skills and capabilities it needs now and in the future” and an investment plan which prioritises hidden crime, technology and developing its workforce.

Central funding to Gwent Police has been reduced by nearly 40 per cent since 2008.

HMICFRS considers a police service to be efficient if it understands demand and ensures that resources are in place to meet demand.

Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, welcomed the report but noted the “difficulties faced” in balancing service efficiency with the demands of delivering policing services to communities and said he “sincerely hopes that cuts to the policing service are not continued”.

Gwent Police’s chief constable Julian Williams described the third ‘good’ rating as a “testament to our having a sound understanding of current demand for our services and an ability to plan accordingly”.

He added his priority was to “ensure we have officers on the ground to respond to and reassure communities across Gwent and to protect the most vulnerable in society.”

To view the report, visit: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/