THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, is asking Thames Valley residents to share their views on priority areas for the local policing budget in 2025/26.
Matthew Barber is asking residents to complete an ongoing local crime survey, saying where they would like the policing element of council tax to be focused.
The Police and Crime Commissioner is due to set the 2025/26 policing budget by the end of January 2025, with allocation of central government funding for police forces expected in December.
The funding settlement allows Police and Crime Commissioners to increase council tax in order to make additional investments in local policing.
Last year, increases of up to £13 (for a Band D property) were permitted.
Matthew Barber said: “As Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my responsibility to ensure that Thames Valley Police has sufficient resources to effectively prevent and investigate crime, support victims and protect communities.
“Setting the policing budget is a complex process of balancing priorities and I am acutely aware of financial pressures households are under.”
This year the PCC will be setting the budget, including determining the policing element of council tax, following central Government funding decisions that are set to affect employers up and down the country.
He has already written to the Government about reviewing the police funding formula.
“As a result of Government changes to the rate and threshold of Employers National Insurance Contributions and the police officer pay rise over the summer, tax payers will already see an additional financial pressure of £3.6m due to a shortfall in funding,” he added.
“This is before the usual pressures of inflation, and the need to invest in new technology and respond to changes in crime trends.
“Regardless, residents rightly expect an exceptional service from their police force and I want to develop greater capacity and capability to further cut crime.
“I want to ensure that the policing budget can support this, deliver value for money and address the concerns and priorities of our communities.
“By sharing your views, you will help shape important decisions about police funding and how Thames Valley Police can continue to work to keep our communities safe.”
In the last financial year, an increase in council tax of 25p per week helped to recruit an additional 150 police officers across the force, including neighbourhood and Rural Crime Taskforce officers.
It also helped implement a Thames Valley-wide programme to help tackle knife crime, has enabled investment in the forensic improvement programme, and was used to tackle retail crime through the PCC’s Retail Crime Strategy.
On top of this there has been continued investment in a Thames Valley-wide CCTV partnership; road safety initiatives across Thames Valley, including the recent launch of the Road Safety Strategy, and re-offending prevention through a Restart programme.
As well as giving their views through the local crime survey, residents of Thames Valley can attend regular public meetings where the policing budget is discussed and reviewed.
Further details on these meetings, including meeting notes, can be found on the PCC website.
To take part in the survey, which must be completed by noon on Friday, January 3, visit: thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/survey
.
