Police service to receive £15 billion-plus funding boost to fight crime and recruit more officers

Alongside putting more officers on the beat, the funding settlement will enable policing to tackle serious violence and increase the number of specialist officers tackling terrorism and serious organised crime, including drug trafficking.

The 2021-2022 funding package means an increase of up to £636 million on last year, should Police and Crime Commissioners take full advantage of police precept flexibility.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “We have asked more of the police than ever before during the Coronavirus pandemic. The British people and I are extremely grateful for their dedication. I’m absolutely committed to giving the police the resources they need. This funding package delivers on that commitment. It will allow us to continue to put more police on the streets and reduce crime as we build back safer from the pandemic.”

Support for Counter-Terrorism Policing

Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing will total up to £914 million, including money for armed policing and more officers in general. In addition, Counter-Terrorism Policing will receive £32 million to establish a new Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre designed to keep the country safe from a range of threats.

The Government also recognises that, during the Coronavirus pandemic, huge demands have been made of the police. That’s why it has provided additional support throughout, including £30 million of surge funding to help forces step up COVID-19 enforcement activities in 2020-2021. This is also why the Government reimbursed all additional PPE purchased between March and July.

Huge demands have also been made on the public, the vast majority of whom have been following the rules to help keep everyone safe. Just as the police service will continue to enforce the regulations, the public should continue to play its part in stopping the spread of the virus.

The publication of the provisional funding settlement opens a period of consultation, with the final police funding settlement debated in Parliament ahead of the new financial year.

Response from the policing community

Association of Police and Crime Commissioner (APCC) finance lead Roger Hirst has responded to the news of the additional funding by stating: “Police and Crime Commissioners warmly welcome the Government’s continued commitment to policing, especially so the 20,000 officer police uplift programme. Forces stand ready to recruit 6,000 officers next year in addition to the 6,000 being recruited in the current year, and we look forward to recruiting another 8,000 in 2022-2023. This comes on top of the recruitment which Police and Crime Commissioners have already achieved through the council tax precept. We recognise this settlement is set against the background of severe economic hardship and stretched Government finances, and duly acknowledge the commitment this shows to improving community safety. Of course, Police and Crime Commissioners will also continue to work together to share good ideas and implement efficiencies.”
 
APCC deputy finance lead Paddy Tipping added: “Around £288 million of the extra funding for next year is reliant on Police and Crime Commissioners choosing to increase a Band D household’s annual council tax bill by £15. We have some tough decisions to make, but will make them in consultation with residents and by taking into account our own force’s unique circumstances.”