A POLICING watchdog has warned that the loss of Carmel Napier could create a leadership gap at Gwent Police when it has to find another £600,000 in savings.

An HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report says the departure of the former chief constable has brought instability at a critical time for the force.

Gwent Police needs to save £23.5 million between March 2011 and March 2015, and has planned to save £22.9 million.

It has £600,000, but the report says the force has "no firm plans" for how this will be bridged.

All forces are facing cuts to their budget from the UK Government.

However the force expects to fill the gap by "over-achieving on its existing savings plan and under-spending in the remaining two years".

The report says that Gwent Police has made "good progress in meeting its financial challenge", but said the recent resignation of the chief constable Carmel Napier "brings an element of instability at an important time for the force."

"A leadership gap may impact on preparations for future budget reductions and force performance," it reads.

By the end of the March 2011 to March 2015 period there are projected to be 88 fewer police officers - a smaller reduction than in most other forces, HMIC say.

The proportion of officers in front-line crime-fighting role will fall from 93 to 92 per cent, compared to an overall increase across England and Wales from 89 to 93 per cent.

There will be 111 fewer police staff in the force - also a smaller figure than other forces, but Gwent Police plans to increase the number of community support officers by 72 per cent.

The force aims to make 74 per cent of its savings from its pay budget, broadly in line with other forces.

Compulsory redundancies have been kept to a minimum, but the report said the force did not survey staff in advanced of changes or in their aftermath.

Sickness levels are a cause for concern, which the report says are being actively monitored and managed.

Staff association representatives reported a "consultative approach" until recently when announcements about staff cuts caused disquiet.

"Dialogue is continuing to clarify the situation," the report said.

The report says that over the spending review period recorded crime has fallen by 24 per cent, more than the figure for England and Wales of 13 per cent.

Victim satisfaction remains high at 81.4 per cent, although this is lower than in other forces.

The inspector for Wales and Western region, Dru Sharpling, said the force faces a difficult challenge with a mixed geography and a small force with limited opportunities for economies of scale.

“The recent departure of the Chief Constable brings a level of instability at a critical time for the force. This instability will need to be addressed at a time when the force is managing change and developing its future," she added.

Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston welcomed the HMIC report. "The HMIC has acknowledged that the force has prepared and adapted well to making those savings without impacting on the front line and that this hasn’t affected the service we provide to residents," he said.

“I will be moving to appoint a new Chief Constable at the beginning of September. In the meantime, I will work with the temporary Chief Constable Jeff Farrar, who has been with the force throughout the change process, to ensure the force has the stability and leadership required."

There was no comment from the force itself yesterday.