CLOSED police stations could be reopened and a force-wide motorbike ASB unit created as Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness calls for people’s views on proposed changes to the part of council tax that pays for local policing.

Two thirds of police stations in England have closed since 2010, with many being in the Northumbria Police force area. With public backing, Kim McGuinness is keen to explore the possibility of reopening any stations where footfall data suggests a local need.

To offset the rising costs facing the force and deliver proposed plans such as boosting frontline police resources and enhancing the force-wide motorbike ASB unit, Kim is asking local people if they would support a slight increase to their police precept.

She said residents repeatedly share concerns about the disappearance of police counters in their local communities seen – a result of over a decade of Government cuts – and has set out funding options that could help bring them back. Funds are also needed to help plug the police funding gap to ensure Northumbria Police continues to have the resources it needs to fight and prevent crime in the region.

  • 72p per month increase for a Band A property – could potentially allow the reopening of some police stations following a review of the police estate. It would help boost ongoing efforts to boost officer recruitment, hire more crime investigators to tackle online crime and create a force-wide unit set up to tackle motorbike anti-social behaviour, expanding on a current trial.
  • 56p per month increase for a Band A property – could potentially allow the reopening of some stations but the force would still have to make financial savings and investment in specialist frontline policing would not be possible.
  • Zero increase – Northumbria Police has not received extra funds to cover the impact of rising bills. If the precept is not increased this would mean a cut of around £4.2m to the force budget, the equivalent of 113 job losses.

Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “A greater police presence is the number one ask of local people – that’s why I put 134 new officers into neighbourhood policing and it’s why I agreed a review of all our police stations to see what we can reopen. If the reviews we are conducting indicate a strong enough case for the reopening of certain stations and it’s what people want, let’s look at reversing the Government imposed closure trend and explore our options for opening station doors once again.”

Kim warned though of the financial challenges facing austerity-hit policing. She said: “The funds raised through the precept help us keep the wheels on as we keep fighting crime in the shadow of austerity. There are still stark financial pressures facing the force, totalling more than £7m, due to inflation and other rising costs in the years ahead. If police precept bills are frozen it would mean another £4m of cuts facing the force. It would certainly impact plans to invest further in frontline policing, keep more stations open longer and develop specialist crime units.

“Asking local council taxpayers to help fund our policing is a tough ask – household finances are tight enough for so many as it is. I firmly believe Central Government should provide the funds that would prevent putting them onto the public like this.

“But it’s the only way we can afford to deliver the things residents want to see if we aren’t given sufficient Government funding – so be it – I am having to ask. In recent years, along with the Chief Constables, we have worked hard to rebuild the frontline improve response ties, invest in technology like drones in the skies and establish specialist units to tackle crime like motorbike disorder. This has all been possible with public backing before and I don’t want this progress to fight crime in our region to stop.”

Every part of the country relies on funding gathered through Council Tax payments to support their local police force. Northumbria Police is one of the forces hardest hit by the effects of Government austerity and on-going financial cost pressures, while having one of the lowest precept rates in the country. The force has lost more than 1,100 officers and £148m from its budget in the years since 2010.

Over the Christmas period the force has trialled extending opening in rural areas and reopened one station. The Commissioner would like to authorise a wider review of all stations early in 2024 and reopen some of those that were closed under Government austerity.

Local residents within the Northumbria Police force area can have their say by answering two short questions here https://bit.ly/NbriaPol24. The survey will be open until Monday 22nd January 2024.

Funding gained through the police precept will help us to maintain the just, safe, and inclusive police service we need. Without this support, we fill face severe pressure on the police budget.

ENDS