Council tax increase to raise up to £330m for police forces

Of the additional £986.9m going to local police forces, £657.1m is made up of an increase in government grants.

The remaining £329.8m is expected to be raised by council tax increases.

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) have the power to increase council tax by up to £14 for band D properties – and the equivalent proportional sum for other bands – without triggering a local referendum.

PCCs are elected every four years and represent 39 areas across England and Wales.

Earlier this year, the then-Conservative government increased funding for police forces for 2024-25 by £922.2m, which included council tax rises ministers expected would be implemented by PCCs.

In this time period, PCCs could raise up to £13 from council tax on band D properties without triggering a referendum.

Last week, police chiefs told the BBC that neighbourhood police officer numbers could be cut unless the government covered the cost of pay rises and higher employer taxes.

The Home Office had promised to cover the costs; however some police forces have questioned if the funding boost will continue into future years.

Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, has warned that 2,300 officers and 400 other staff might have to go in 2025 due to a £450m shortfall in its budget.

Paul Gibson, the chief constable in Lincolnshire, said a 13% increase in the area’s population over the last 20 years had not been matched by an equivalent rise in funding.

He said he would need an extra £57m over the next three and a half years to maintain current operations.