The Police and Crime Commissioner is asking the public for their views on the level of investment they want to see in West Midlands Police.
It comes as Simon Foster launches his annual public engagement on the budget.
The PCC is responsible for setting the budget for West Midlands Police, which receives 80% of its funding from a central government grant, whilst 20% is funded via local council tax.
It is important to understand that West Midlands Police is already structurally under-resourced and under-funded. In the West Midlands we still have 800 fewer police officers and 500 fewer PCSOs than we had in 2010. The formula used to distribute police funding, nationally, also leaves the force £40 million short every year. In 2025/26, the force is facing a budget shortfall of £25.5 million.
The government has given the Police and Crime Commissioner the ability to raise the police part of council tax by £1.16 per month or £13.95 a year, for a typical band D property.
The Commissioner is now asking people living and working in the region to offer their view on what level of investment in policing they would like to see made.
The questionnaire can be found here.
If the Commissioner increases the police part of council tax by £1.16 per month then many of the rising policing costs next year can be met and that funding will be invested directly towards retaining police officers and police staff and preventing and tackling crime to keep people, families, businesses and communities safe and secure, despite the WMP budget remaining under pressure.
However, without that increase in the police part of council tax, WMP might be forced to close police buildings, reduce staffing in the 999 and 101 call handling centre or reduce the number of police cars.
The West Midlands Police Council Tax is currently one of the lowest in the country at £215.55 per year for a Band D property and this increase will take it to £229.50.
By comparison the Band D Council Tax per annum for Policing in local Forces is as follows:
- Warwickshire Police £289.71 per year
- Staffordshire Police £273.57 per year
- West Mercia Police £277.50 per year
Most properties in the West Midlands are in bands A and B and the cost increase for them would be even lower – working out at £9.30 per year for a Band A and £10.85 per year for a Band B.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I am committed to continuing to re-build community policing, to prevent and tackle crime, to keep people, families, businesses and local communities safe and secure.
“However, I am seeking the views of the public before deciding on the best course of action. I am keen to hear to what extent people want to see investment in their police force or further cuts to their police force.
“These decisions require careful consideration. Deciding on the appropriate precept level is always a challenging process, particularly in recent years where I have had to strike a balance between unprecedented financial challenges and ensuring the appropriate level of policing service that our communities are entitled to.
“I would encourage everybody in the West Midlands, if you work, live or study in the region to please respond to this public engagement.”
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