West Mercia Police to get millions in extra funding but council tax bills could rise

New central funding for West Mercia will mean the force gets a budget of £122.4 million next year – an increase of about £2.3m over this year.

John Campion, police and crime commissioner for the area, has also been given permission to double the police portion of council tax bills to raise more funds for the service, meaning a potential average increase from £12 to £24 for a Band D property.

Mr Campion will be releasing a consultation on his plans on Monday, but promised that any increase would have a positive effect in terms of visibility or services.

"I've always been very clear that if you're asking people to pay more, they should get something in return," Mr Campion said.

"The increase is good news, and will enable me to keep our communities safe."

Council tax payers will be asked if they want to increase the cost of their bill in return for more police on the streets.

Today Mr Campion promised any increase would lead to real changes on Shropshire’s streets.

“I’ve announced an additional 100 officers with the flexibility the Government gave me last year," he said.

“I can reassure any proposals I make around increase in council tax will mean extra for the community, whether that’s improvements to services or an increased visibility.”

Mr Campion thanked Home Secretary Sajid Javid for listening to communities across West Mercia.

Demand

“We’ve seen over the last 12 months the home secretary listen and engage to understand what the pressures are,” he said. “They’ve recognised that there is an increased cost.

“There is rising demand. This is the first increase to central costs since 2010.”

"The average household in West Mercia pays about £200 towards the police as part of their council tax. We are likely to see council tax go up,” he said.

“But it’s only a very small amount for a very important service.

“I’m a directly elected politician and I’m here to serve the public.

“They will be able to give their judgement before I set the budget for next year.

“The increase is good news, and will enable me to keep our communities safe.”

West Mercia’s annual policing budget for 2018/19 is currently around £211m. Around 57 per cent of this is made up from central grant funding, with the remainder from local council tax contributions.

Staffordshire’s police and crime commissioner Matthew Ellis will also hold a consultation on the plans.

He said he welcomed the plans to increase funding, but said that there were still challenges ahead.

In the West Midlands, people are also facing a hike in bills.

West Midlands Police will get an extra £34.2m – with the Government grant rising 2.1 per cent to £8.9m. Across England and Wales police funding will potentially rise by £813m in total – with around £500m coming from council tax increases.