Lib Dems demand "Burglary Response Guarantee" as 74% of cases go unsolved in Avon and Somerset

New analysis from the Liberal Democrats has revealed that a staggering 4535 burglaries went unsolved across Avon and Somerset in the year ending September 2023. 

This means that on average, 12 burglaries in Avon and Somerset went unsolved every single day.

Meanwhile, only 351 resulted in a suspect being charged - equivalent to just 6% of cases.

Avon and Somerset’s Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservative government for these alarming figures, arguing that years of ineffective resourcing have left local police forces overstretched and unable to focus on frontline crime like burglaries.

This includes taking 16 Police community support officers (PCSOs) off the streets in Avon and Somerset since 2015 - a 5% decrease.

This means that as of September 2023, there are only 315 PCSOs in all of Avon and Somerset.

The Liberal Democrats are demanding a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and focused on tackling neighbourhood crime. 

The party is also calling for a new “Burglary Response Guarantee,” under which all domestic burglaries would be attended by the police and properly investigated.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Avon and Somerset, Benet Allen, said: 

“With the vast majority of burglaries still going unsolved in Avon and Somerset, too many people feel unsafe in their own homes.

“Time and again, this Conservative Government has failed to deliver the absolute basics of stopping and solving crime. But enough is enough.

“Avon and Somerset deserves better. It’s high time to bring an end to this shameful burglar bailout - which is why Liberal Democrats will keep pushing the Conservatives to implement our Burglary Response Guarantee and get more bobbies on the beat.”