PCC launches consultation with communities on police funding

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has launched a public consultation on police funding for the next financial year.

Residents are being given their say on how much more they would be willing to contribute towards policing and community safety activity, as part of the 2025/26 budget.

Policing costs

It currently costs around £197m a year to provide policing and crime services in Cleveland.

Most of this funding (£146m) is provided by the Government. The remaining £51m is raised by contributions from local taxpayers.

Pay increases for police officers and staff, plus higher costs for insurance, maintenance of vehicles and kennelling of dangerous dogs will increase policing costs in Cleveland by £11m for the 2025/26 financial year.

Despite additional investment from Government, this will leave a shortfall of between £2m and £3m. Matt has made the decision to increase the police precept to meet this shortfall.

Maintain the progress.

Matt said: “Since my election, I’ve been humbled by the hard work of Cleveland Police’s officers, staff and volunteers as they strive every day to be the best they can be.

“As PCC, I want to equip them with the resources they need to maintain the progress already made under the leadership of Chief Constable Mark Webster, with a focus on effective neighbourhood policing, proactive disruption and community engagement.

“This improvement – and rising costs across the country – mean that an increase in council tax contribution is required to allow further improvement and maintain momentum.

“I’ve been vocal since I was elected about the burden the current police funding settlement places on areas like Cleveland, who suffer from high crime and high deprivation.

“I’m hopeful that funding reforms announced recently by the Home Secretary will include an opportunity to level the playing field for areas like Cleveland and give it the funding it needs.”

Members of the public will be asked to select one of four options on how much more per month they would be willing to pay. Increases range from from £1 to £2 extra per month.

People can also complete a paper survey in community locations across the Cleveland area.

The public consultation will be open until 23:59 on Sunday 19 January 2025.

Locations for completing a paper version of the PCC’s funding survey

Hartlepool

Stockton

Middlesbrough

Redcar and Cleveland