SHOULD police help save animals in peril? Should officers intervene in domestic disputes? Is it part of their job to help control aggressive school pupils?

This is the kind of question which Avon and Somerset Police Authority is asking the public as it sets its policing priorities for the coming year.

The authority is facing a 20 per cent reduction in its budget, and senior figures want to know what type of incidents the public view as a priority.

Answers to a public consultation will help shape the way police work in future, with force bosses admitting some ‘reshaping’ of operations is unavoidable.

Authority chairman Dr Peter Heffer said: “It is important to get as many responses as possible so that we can see a detailed picture of residents’ views and your feedback can inform our decision-making.

“Given the scale of the financial challenge it is inevitable that there will be some reshaping of the service.

“The police force is obviously looking at how it carries out its work and we want to make sure that residents are involved in that process. That is why it is vital that we hear your views.”

The public consultation will be available at

www.consultation.avonandsomerset.police.uk until Friday, August 19, with hard copies available by callng 01275 816377.

Once all the consultation closes, responses will be analysed and a results submitted in October.