The 2021 to 2022 funding package for police by the Home Office isn’t nearly enough to undo the cuts of since 2010, says a police and crime commissioner. West Midlands Police has endured years of austerity since 2010 which has forced it to shrink by a quarter – losing 2,221 police officers, said PCC David Jamieson.
He said: “After years of telling the government that cuts to police forces would be followed by sharp rises in crime I am pleased my message has finally chimed. I am, however, very concerned that given the government took away more than 2,200 of our officers over a ten year period, it only plans to give us back just over half.
“Our budget has stabilised, but this settlement does not undo a decade of austerity. It’s pleasing to see that the government is supporting my work over the last six years to find efficiency savings. It is endorsing the difficult decision I made to sell largely empty police buildings to protect police officer numbers from further cuts.
“The government has also made it clear that I should raise council tax next year to fund the force. Making local people pay more is not right in these difficult times and is something I will raise with the Home Office.”
The Home Office said that the funding package means an increase of up to £636 million on last year, should police and crime commissioners (PCCs) 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 am absolutely committed to giving the police the resources they need – this funding package delivers on that. It will allow us to continue to put more police on the streets, and reduce crime as we build back safer from the pandemic.”
At the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Finance Lead Roger Hirst said: “PCCs warmly welcome the Government’s continued commitment to policing, especially the 20,000 officer Police Uplift Programme.
“Forces stand ready to recruit 6,000 officers next year, in addition to the 6,000 we are recruiting in the current year, and we look forward to recruiting another 8,000 in 2022/23. This comes on top of the recruitment which PCCs have already achieved through the council tax precept. We recognise this settlement is against the background of severe economic hardship, and stretched Government finances, and acknowledge the commitment this shows to improving community safety. Of course PCCs will also continue to work together to share good ideas and implement efficiencies, including £20m of savings through the BlueLight Commercial organisation.”
For Labour, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “The Prime Minister’s promise on police recruitment is unravelling. The Tories are putting the cost of extra officers onto local council tax payers and demanding £120m of ‘efficiency savings’, which will mean further cuts to already overstretched police forces.
“This settlement also expects the police force to recruit the same number of officers as last year, but for less money. You simply can’t trust the Conservatives to keep people safe.”
Photo by Mark Rowe; PC and PCSO on patrol, Coventry city centre, last month.
