Government announces £100m police funding amid cutback warnings
The Home Office has pledged an additional £100 million to bolster neighbourhood policing in England and Wales, reinforcing its commitment to increasing police presence by 2029. This latest funding follows an initial £100 million announced in December as part of the government’s plan to recruit 13,000 new officers into community policing roles.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the significance of this investment, acknowledging that while “restoring local policing will not happen overnight,” the extra funds would help deploy more officers into both urban and rural areas. However, the announcement has been met with skepticism from police forces across the country, who warn that financial constraints may still lead to cuts in officer numbers.
Despite the government’s renewed commitment, police forces have flagged significant financial shortfalls that could hinder recruitment efforts. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) previously highlighted an estimated £1.3 billion deficit in police funding over the next two years, warning that forces may struggle to maintain existing staffing levels.
These concerns were underscored this week when Lincolnshire Police announced the cancellation of its upcoming officer intake due to financial pressures. Similarly, Essex Police confirmed plans to eliminate all 99 police community support officer (PCSO) roles, citing a £5.3 million budget shortfall.
The new funding, according to the Home Office, has been sourced from efficiencies identified within the department. However, senior police officials have raised questions about the government’s strategy, arguing that the lack of clarity on how the funds will be allocated is causing uncertainty.
A senior police source speaking to the BBC revealed that no clear guidance has been provided on how the first £100 million, announced in December, should be spent. Key questions remain about whether the funds will go towards hiring new police constables (PCs) or PCSOs, addressing existing funding shortfalls, or covering essential resources such as uniforms and patrol vehicles.
PCSOs play a vital role in neighbourhood policing, handling community engagement and minor enforcement duties but lack the full powers of a police officer. Their responsibilities include issuing fixed penalty notices, confiscating alcohol from minors, and assisting with crime prevention initiatives. The potential loss of these roles in some regions could further strain frontline policing efforts.
The funding boost comes as the government finalizes its police funding settlement for the next fiscal year, allocating up to £17.5 billion for local police forces. However, a substantial portion of this funding approximately one-third relies on police and crime commissioners (PCCs) increasing council tax by £14 per household.
The government maintains that the funding package accounts for police pay raises and increased National Insurance contributions for employers. Yet, with multiple forces already struggling to meet budget demands, questions remain about whether the additional money will genuinely lead to more officers on the streets or merely offset existing financial challenges.
As policing budgets remain under scrutiny, the true impact of this latest funding pledge will depend on how forces are permitted to allocate the resources—and whether it is enough to meet the government’s ambitious neighbourhood policing targets.