Warwickshire Police unveil new budget set to increase police numbers and protect the vulnerable

Warwickshire Police has announced a new budget for 2021/22.

Unveiled by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe, the budget aims to deliver further increases in officer numbers, strengthen resources to protect the vulnerable, reduce crime, and also protect previous investments.

The 2021/22 spending plan covers the budget for Warwickshire Police alongside services supporting victims and community safety initiatives.

To provide this increased investment, the Commissioner is proposing an increase to the police element of council tax, equivalent to approximately 29 pence a week or £1.25 extra a month on a Band D property.

For all council tax bands this equates to a 6.3% raise of the Police Precept.

Public feedback through the Commissioner's 'Your Police, Your Views' consultation shows support for an increase in the police precept, with around two-thirds of respondents agreeing that it would be acceptable if it was necessary to sustain frontline policing.

Key commitments it is set to deliver are:

· A further 41 police officers to keep people safe and provide extra visibility in local communities

· More Special Constables to support police teams across Warwickshire

· Extra resources for teams working with vulnerable victims and tackling child exploitation and trafficking

· The opening of a new force control room, with state-of-the-art facilities to improve the way in which calls from the public are responded to

· Improved forensic services to support police investigations, delivered through a new collaboration

· More warranted officers to strengthen the force's capability to investigate crime and catch offenders

· Extra financial support allocated to increase the number of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, to support victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse.

The draft budget also protects the previous investments made by the Commissioner and Warwickshire Police in patrol policing, specialist teams for rural crime and vehicle crime, as well as Safer Neighbourhoods Teams across the county.

It also supports the force's continued transformation programme, which will see the rollout of improved ICT and supporting infrastructure for frontline policing, alongside operational changes to make the force more effective in the way it delivers services.

Commenting on the budget proposals, Mr Seccombe said: "I'm really grateful for the feedback the public has given to me over the past eight weeks through the 'Your Police, Your Views' consultation, which has underlined that people continue to value policing but want an enhanced police service which continues to focus on reducing crime and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.

"It's been really pleasing to hear that many people have noticed the additional police officers the force now has but it is equally clear that police visibility remains a concern, with most people wanting to greater accessibility to officers in our communities. They also want to see a well-resourced policing service which is better able to respond effectively to serious crime such as County Lines drug dealing and violent offenders, as well as some of the more hidden harms in our communities, like domestic abuse and child exploitation.

"Providing the funding to meet these priorities is never an easy task, particularly in an area like ours where half of all funding comes from our government grant. While there has been an increase in the core grant, some other ring-fenced grants have been frozen. This does however bring real financial pressures for the force as it does not take into account increases in costs for equipment and other services which underpin frontline policing, or the natural growth which occurs with wages and pension contributions.

"With the addition of the challenges and unexpected costs of the Covid-19 pandemic, setting this year's budget has probably been the hardest task of my five years in office. I fully understand the financial pressures that all households are under, with coronavirus only adding further financial worry and uncertainty. Public sector finances face similar challenges now and into the future, so I must weigh up all these competing concerns before coming to a conclusion.

"I've also been clear that setting a balanced budget is important to provide the maximum protection for the uncertain times ahead. We cannot spend more than we receive and there is always the challenge of trying to deliver improved services while maintaining the sustainability of the force.

"In asking the public to pay more, I have been clear that taxpayers must see real improvements to the service they receive, all within a sustainable financial footing.

"While the economic picture remains challenging, I believe this budget meets that balance of protecting existing investments and delivering efficiency savings, while also providing more resources to tackle the priorities that communities tell me are the most important.

"I must present my finalised budget to the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel on February 1 but I am keen to hear the public's final views now that the details of my spending plans have been published.

"Time is tight before the budget meeting, so please don't delay in letting me know your comments through the online feedback form."

You can view the draft budget and give feedback on the links below.

View the draft budget for 2021/22

Give your feedback on the proposals

The survey will close at 5pm on January 27.