PCC warns of growing policing budget crisis

With Government funding failing to meet rising costs hitting West Mercia’s police and crime budgets, PCC John Campion met with local MP Shaun Davies to stress this position and seek Government support.

The message from the PCC is clear: current funding levels are insufficient to meet the growing demands on policing and crime.

Similar to other forces nationwide, West Mercia is contending with significant financial pressures including above inflation pay awards set by Government, increased national insurance contributions, general inflation, and growing demand for services. All while operating within rigid Government constraints on how funding can be allocated.

During the meeting in Telford the PCC clarified that funding increases have not kept pace with pay, nor the total costs of delivering services to the public.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Only this week the State of Policing report from HMICFRS set out a clear position that police forces nationwide are facing acute funding issues and increased demand. West Mercia is a clear case in point. The Government is not providing the funding or flexibility to deliver the services the public need.

“It’s unhelpful for a Member of Parliament to assert, incorrectly, that there is more money available than there is. The meeting was an opportunity to outline the facts and correct that position.

“What would be helpful, and what I have asked Shaun to do on behalf of our local communities, is to raise these issues with his Government colleagues and advocate for changes in how policing is funded. Without meaningful change, the thin blue line will be stretched even thinner.”