Residents across Cleveland are being asked how much more they are willing to pay towards the cost of policing in their community next year.
Consultation on the policing precept – the figure paid with Council Tax bills towards the cost of policing – begins today, Friday 3 October 2025.
Residents are being presented with a range of options for next year based on monthly figures for a Band D property.
Most householders in Cleveland live in Band A or B properties so they will pay considerably less than any of the proposed increases.
The options for 2026/27 are to pay:
- Up to £12 a year more (£1 per month), an increase of 3.78%. This would raise a total of £2 million. However, the amount is below increased costs faced by Cleveland Police. As a result, this option is likely to lead to a reduction on the current levels of service.
- Up to £14 a year more (£1.17 per month), an increase of 4.41%. This would raise a total of £2.3 million. The figure is broadly in line with inflation and would not lead to any service reductions.
- Up to £18 a year more (£1.50 per month), an increase of 5.67%: This would raise a total of £3 million. This is likely to be above the rising costs faced by the force and could allow for some investment in policing.
- Up to £24 a year more (£2.00 per month), an increase of 7.55%. This would raise a total of about £4 million. The figure would be much higher than increased costs and would fund even more investment.
It is assumed that the Government will set a £14 cap on increases on the police element of Council Tax bills for Band D properties next year, although this is unlikely to be confirmed until December.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said: “I know so many households are struggling at the moment and I don’t take lightly the decision to ask the people of Cleveland to consider a rise in next year’s policing precept.
“If the Government revised its grant funding formula base and richer areas paid more towards the cost of policing, we may not be in this position.
“However, Cleveland is a high crime, high need area. If we are going to keep the people of Cleveland safe and maintain improvements in policing recorded in our latest HMICFRS PEEL inspection, we need to make sure the force is properly funded.”
Most of the funding for Cleveland Police comes from Government grants with 26% coming from the policing precept raised locally.
Matt is currently leading the Fairer Funding; Safer Cleveland campaign to persuade the Government to revise the way it funds policing.
Click here to take part in the online survey on police funding