Lancashire residents asked for views on police budget

The Commissioner recently unveiled his Police and Crime Plan 2024-29 which focusses on the key concerns of residents across the force area.  He is now working to set a budget that will provide the Chief Constable with the appropriate resources to deliver on priority areas including neighbourhood policing, violence against women and girls and services for victims of crime.

As part of that process, he is asking people for their thoughts through an online survey on the amount of council tax they pay towards policing, victim support, crime prevention and community safety, known as the ‘Policing Precept’.

The Government sets a cap on the amount of money that Police and Crime Commissioners can raise through the precept each year. The Government announcement of £414 million funding for Lancashire in 2025/26 is based on a suggested increase of £14 a year, the equivalent 27p per week for a band D, or 18p per week for a Band A property. A significant proportion of Lancashire’s households fall into bands A and B, meaning most households would pay less.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“As your elected Police and Crime Commissioner, one of my most important jobs is to set the budget for your policing service for 2025/26, and I would welcome the public’s thoughts.

“I understand that this is a difficult time for the country with the increased cost of living affecting all of us. This is also reflected in financing our police service. The 2025/26 policing budget will be set against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment with inflation, pay, utilities and insurance cost all higher than in previous years. For these reasons, it is more important than ever that the money you contribute towards policing can work harder to sustain and improve services.

“I’m pleased to say we have been able to invest in key areas to retain Lancashire’s position as a top performing force. In November 2024, Lancashire Constabulary were judged as good for efficiency in the use of their resources by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, therefore residents can be assured that any investment made will be maximised to achieve the best possible outcome for Lancashire.”

Income raised from the precept 2025/26 will be used to deliver the new priorities in the Commissioners Police and Crime Plan, following consultation with residents of Lancashire. These include:

• Strengthening neighbourhood policing, increasing visibility on the streets, preventing crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Tackling violence against women and girls. Including dedicated victim support for domestic abuse, rape, sexual offences and stalking.
• Getting tough on serious violent crime, including knife crime, abuse and exploitation.
• Improving public contact and standards in policing

Residents can complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/precept-survey. It will close at 00:01 on 27^th January 2025.