Recorded Crime statistics released today have shown a big increase in serious criminal offences across England and Wales, with violent crime and sexual offences both seeing big increases in the year up to September 2017.

Across Avon & Somerset, there has been a huge surge in possession of weapons offences, up 34% on the previous year compared to a 26% increase nationally.

Local Councillor Mike Bell said: “These figures are shocking and come after years of cuts to police numbers and funding under Theresa May. When she became Home Secretary, there were 3,085 full time police officers in Avon & Somerset, by 2016, there were just 2,483 – a cut of over 600 officers.

“The Home Office grant to Avon & Somerset Police has seen a real terms cut this year of £3.21million meaning that the Conservatives continue to fail our police officers and the victims of crime.”