NORTHUMBRIA’s Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has today launched her annual survey asking residents for their views on the part of the council tax that pays for local policing.
The PCC is committed to ensuring Northumbria Police delivers on the priorities set by the public in her Plan for Safer Streets and Stronger Communities. And so, she wants to know how much local people are prepared to contribute to help keep neighbourhoods safe, especially when financial pressures aren’t only impacting police budgets, but household finances too.
With early indications from government suggesting grant funding will fall short due to inflation, and national policy changes, the Commissioner is asking residents if they would support a small council tax increase, as they have in recent years. Residents of Northumberland and Tyne and Wear would still pay the lowest policing precept in England and Wales.
Rising costs are placing pressure on police budgets just as they are on household finances, so the PCC is asking for a precept increase of 19p per week, however this does leave a funding gap for Northumbria Police of £6.1m – a concern she is raising with Government
The PCC also needs to know, through this precept consultation, if local people would pay a little extra to retain current resourcing levels and investment in policing. This would be a precept increase of 37p per week for a Band A property.
This would help ensure vital services can continue to meet the community’s needs and help protect frontline services. Northumbria Police will also continue to invest in priorities such as further reducing anti-social behaviour, new technologies and proactively safeguarding women and girls.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, said: “The police precept helps provide essential support for neighbourhood policing and the resources required to keep our communities safe. The budget will be tight and unfortunately there are difficult choices to be made – raising a precept being one. Just a small increase would help us to keep our heads above water whilst continuing to invest in the improvements that matter most to local people, despite these difficult financial challenges.
“Although the role of PCC is changing in 2028, right now I have a job to do — and that is to make sure Northumbria Police is properly resourced and in the best possible position to deliver for our communities. People’s views on the police part of their taxes is an essential part of this, and I recognise that while our police force is facing financial pressures, so too are many households in our area.
She continued: “We have made real progress over the last year— from faster response times to reductions in crime across all area commands. This all demonstrates the impact of sustained investment in local policing. I am determined to build on this good work but fully recognise the need for investment to help meet operational demands, boost visibility in our communities and keep delivering on the issues that matter for the people of Northumberland, Tyne, and Wear.”
Northumbria Police will continue to provide value for money, and the PCC has made it clear that any budget decisions must help protect the frontline and maintain the progress made over the last year.
Survey closes Monday 19 January
