Policing in Staffordshire is to receive additional money this year with the 2023/24 funding settlement for England and Wales set at £17.2 billion – an increase of £287 million from the previous 12 months.
Much of the extra money will come through a hike in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) precept on council tax bills.
Staffordshire Police Federation chair Lee Robinson said: “The demands on my colleagues continue to grow, whether it’s cyber-crime - which is becoming more sophisticated and resource-intensive – or the requirement for us to plug the gaps in social services, as well as fulfilling our traditional role of catching criminals and protecting the public.
“Policing needs increased funding and, which is why I supported an increase in the council tax precept for residents on the condition that it helped fund additional officers in Staffordshire.
“As a result the PCC has increased the precept and this will be used to fund 60 additional officers next year.”
Lee said the whole system of police funding needed root and branch reform to enable Forces to develop long-term strategies.
“Longer-term funding is also needed so that chief constables can plan and have more stability,” said Lee.
Policing minister Chris Philp told the Commons that with Home Office spending taken into the equation the amount being received by PCCs would be £523 million. He urged them: “Before they turn to local taxpayers to increase their contributions, it is important for PCCs and indeed chief constables to seek efficiencies.”
Labour’s Shadow Home Office minister Sarah Jones MP responded by accusing the Conservatives of presiding over “demoralised and worn out” officers leaving the service and plummeting arrest and charge rates.
She said: “It is unacceptable that the decision to raise the precept limit is presented by the Government as increased flexibility, masking the truth of a council tax hike. The Government’s offer to local forces is that if they want money, they must raise it locally. And, of course, as has been pointed out, the money is not spread fairly.”
