This is the sixth year of efficiency improvement plans and since their inception in April 1999 we have delivered cumulative efficiency improvements of more than £10m.

These efficiency improvements have been rigorously monitored and validated by both HMIC and the Audit Commission.

The efficiency improvement target for 2004/05 is £1.96m of which £0.17m is cashable (doing the same with less resources) and £1.8m non-cashable (doing more for the same resources). The cashable savings relate mainly to lower overtime working (to be used to recruit additional police officers as savings are achieved) and an increase in the target for savings from the police staff budget (which will be used to maintain the capability of essential operational budgets).

The main components of the non-cashable improvements reflect targets for crime reduction (in line with the National Policing Plan) together with process improvements and improvements arising from investments in technology as follows:

Crime Reduction Targets in public disorder, vehicle crime, burglary and violent crime.

Collaboration with two other Welsh Forces to tackle serious organised crime, such as drugs trafficking and gun crime.

Reduction in sickness levels amongst both police officers and staff.

Implementation of a new Custody and Case Preparation System to reduce bureaucracy.

Improve officers' briefings by implementing the National Briefing Model.