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Wiltshire PCC raises concerns over unsustainable police funding formula and risk it presents to Wiltshire’s communities
Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, has voiced serious concerns over the financial sustainability of Wiltshire Police following years of continued under funding and has warned of this risk this poses to effectively policing Wiltshire’s communities.
In a letter to the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson MP last week, the Commissioner raised concerns about Wiltshire being the third lowest funded police Force in the country with only Essex and Lincolnshire receiving lower funding.
Lincolnshire Police has recently warned of drastic reductions to officer and staff numbers if they do not receive increased funding to meet demand, this is an unenviable position that Wiltshire Police are determined to avoid.
Despite a 6.2% increase in the Home Office grant this year, Wiltshire Police faces a significant budget shortfall due to rising employer National Insurance contributions, inflationary pressures, and the Police Officer pay award. Whilst an additional £120m has been made available to policing nationally to meet the costs for most of the pay award, Wiltshire Police are likely to be left to cover the shortfall of more than £100k.
The force is currently £6.8 million short of a balanced budget, which includes a £1.3 million gap resulting from unreimbursed costs linked to policing national schemes such as the Stonehenge Tunnel and Rwanda asylum projects.
The Force’s financial review programme to make the savings required has included departmental reviews and restructures, in addition to reduction of estate and fleet.
“This is not just a budgetary issue, it’s a matter of public safety,” said Mr Wilkinson. “Wiltshire Police has made remarkable strides in performance, now boasting the lowest crime rate in the country. But without proper funding, we risk undoing all that progress.”
Mr Wilkinson highlighted the outdated police funding formula, which has left Wiltshire Police severely underfunded compared to other forces. Wiltshire receives just £115 per head from the Home Office grant, far below the national average of £164. Combined with lower-than-average council tax precept income, Wiltshire’s total police funding stands at £238 per head – the third lowest nationally.
“If Wiltshire were funded at the national average, we would have an additional £25 million to invest in frontline policing and support services,” Mr Wilkinson added. “Instead, we are forced to scrutinise every contract line by line and consider painful cuts that could impact service delivery.”
The PCC also raised concerns about the broader financial landscape, including potential top-slicing of budgets for national police reform and the lack of consideration for policing in local devolution plans.
“Policing is the bedrock of safe communities. Any reform or restructuring must be properly funded and strategically planned. Right now, we’re being asked to do more with less and that’s simply not sustainable.”
Mr Wilkinson has called on the Home Office and Treasury to urgently review the police funding formula and provide additional support to ensure Wiltshire Police can continue to deliver an effective and efficient service.