Police Funding Survey 2024-25

The Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Jonathan Evison has a statutory responsibility to set the policing precept each year and as part of that process must seek the views of residents on police funding.

Around 70% of police funding comes from central Government and the rest is raised through a portion of your Council Tax known as the Policing Precept. The Government made its police funding announcement on 14th December and you can read it here, the figures quoted in the announcement assume that PCC’s will take full advantage of raising the precept by 6.8%, the equivalent of £12.99 on a Band D property*. 

PCC Jonathan Evison said: “The number of police officers is now at its highest since 2008.  We are seeing stronger performance in crime detection and we have a continued focus on supporting victims of crime. The Humberside Police Force Control Room is leading the way nationally in responding to the public by phone and online. When I set the budget 12 months ago with the Chief Constable, he made several pledges including providing more 24-hour patrol teams and additional officers for neighbourhood teams and specialist policing functions. All of these commitments were delivered.

“When I took office as your Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021, I set a bold target of bringing in £4 million by May 2024 from other national funding opportunities. My team have worked extremely hard and surpassed my own expectations, as I expect by the end of my term that the team will have brought in excess of £20 million into the Humber area for a range of projects all focussed on keeping our communities safer.

“For the next financial year in 2024/25, to continue to advance, I need to make a small increase to the policing precept of your Council Tax in line with Government recommendations.

I am asking for your views on the following options: 

Option 1: An increase of £9.99 per year (19p per week) on a Band D* property which would also require £7.1m extra funding from reserves.

Option 2: An increase of £12.99 per year (25p per week) on a Band D* property, which would also require £6.3m extra funding from reserves.

Option 3: An increase of £19.99 per year (38p per week) on a Band D* property, which would enable planned improvements to be further enhanced. This option would require a public referendum.

* Most properties within the Humberside Police area are in lower Council Tax bands than D, on which the Government bases its financial forecasts. 34% of households are in Band A, 21% in Band B and 16% in Band C so, for the vast majority, the proposed increases are smaller than £12.99.

“Whilst any increase is unwelcome in these challenging times, I have a responsibility to ensure the best achievable position for our communities.  As a resident and taxpayer myself, I always want to know what I’m getting for my money, so it’s only fair that I provide an illustration of what this increase would provide. I asked Chief Constable Paul Anderson to give me his plans to continue to improve the service based on a £12.99 precept increase and he has committed to the following:  

• Maintain the current police officer numbers and PCSOs, which is the highest level seen for fifteen years.
• Increase the number of specialist police officers to address fraud, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
• Maintain and improve the speed of response to 999 and 101 calls.
• Enhanced focus on violence against women and girls and stalking offences.
• Enhancements for Operation Yellowfin to detect and deter criminals using off-road vehicles.
• Additional police presence in coastal resorts as a response to increased visitor numbers.
• An enhanced Drone capability – significant for improving response to rural crime, missing people and detection of offenders.
• Maintain Operation Shield continuing to disrupt, dismantle and identify suspects involved in a whole host of crimes, including burglary, robbery, antisocial behaviour, as well as protecting vulnerable people by targeting sexual offenders and perpetrators of domestic abuse, targeting criminals who cause the most harm and distress to our communities.

“In this survey I am asking if you would support an increase in council tax precept, and which of the three options you prefer, or whether you prefer no increase at all. You will also be asked which areas of policing are the most important to you. Thank you for taking the time to give me your views.”

 Jonathan Evison - Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside

The survey closed on Friday 26th January - Results can be viewed here.

 Residents can check which Council Tax Band their property is in at: www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands

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