Residents of Leicestershire are set to see an increase in their contributions towards local policing, as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews has proposed raising the police precept by the maximum amount allowed without requiring a public referendum. If approved, this increase will come into effect in April 2025, raising the Band D property contribution to £300.23, a rise of £14 from the current amount.
Financial Challenges and Necessary Cuts
Matthews has justified this increase by highlighting the force’s challenging financial situation. Despite acknowledging the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting households, he emphasized that failing to implement the full precept increase would result in significant funding shortfalls. Each £1 not added to the precept would equate to a £350,000 annual loss for the police force. Even with the increase, Leicestershire Police will still need to find an additional £8.2 million in cuts and efficiencies to balance the budget.
To achieve these savings, the force plans to reduce staffing levels further, with 35 police roles set to be cut. This follows the elimination of 91 police staff roles and 50 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) over the past two years. However, these measures still leave a £1.1 million gap that must be closed during the financial year.
Rising Costs and Underfunding
The increasing financial strain on Leicestershire Police has been attributed to inflation, underfunded pay rises for staff, and new legislative requirements, such as laws related to XL Bully dogs, which have added to the force’s workload. Matthews has also voiced concerns over government funding, noting that Leicestershire Police is among the 12 lowest-funded forces out of 43 in England and Wales.
The impact of changes to employer national insurance contributions, as announced in the Autumn Budget, has added another financial burden, with Matthews expressing disappointment over a £300,000 shortfall resulting from these changes. He reiterated his ongoing calls for fairer funding from the government, arguing that without increased financial support, the police force will struggle to maintain its current level of service.
Policing Demands and Service Pressures
The demand for policing in Leicestershire remains high, with the force handling 197,445 emergency contacts last year, averaging 541 calls per day. In the same period, officers responded to 95,563 reported crimes, 4,338 missing person reports, and 68,900 emergency incidents.
Matthews stressed that public safety comes at a cost, stating: “Cutting crime costs. Keeping people safe costs. Helping people in an emergency costs. That’s why we need more money now to continue these vital elements of policing.” He clarified that reserves will not be used to support the budget but will instead fund initiatives aimed at improving efficiency.
Council Decision Pending
The proposed increase will be debated this week at a meeting of the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Police and Crime Panel. Elected members will discuss and vote on whether to support the precept hike. Matthews expressed gratitude for public support and commended Chief Constable Rob Nixon and his team for their efforts in managing the force’s financial challenges while minimizing the impact on essential services.
If approved, the precept increase will help mitigate some of the financial pressures faced by Leicestershire Police, but concerns remain over the long-term sustainability of funding for law enforcement in the region.
