Police chiefs have warned they will “inevitably” have to make cuts in spite of a billion-pound boost.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a 3.5% hike in real-terms police funding – with £100million to help kickstart recruitment to bulk up neighbourhood teams. She also announced an extra £140million would be allocated to counter-terrorism as intelligence chiefs voiced alarm over the rise in young people being radicalised.
But the National Police Chiefs’ Council warned that other critical areas could miss out. Chief Constable Paul Sanford, the NPCC’s lead for finance, said the funding settlement “presents real challenges” and said forces will face an estimated £1.3billion gap over the next two years.
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He said: “This will inevitably lead to cuts across forces.” The Government has vowed to bulk up neighbourhood policing teams by 13,000 officers and PCSOs to tackle the blight of antisocial behaviour.
Mr Sanford said ringfencing cash for this means bosses will be “unable to invest in other specialist areas”. Ms Cooper announced police forces in England and Wales will be awarded £17.4billion next year – up £987million in 12 months. This is a real-terms increase of 3.5%, the Home Office said.
Ms Cooper said: “This vital funding boost will enable forces to kickstart the recruitment of neighbourhood police officers and crack down on the crimes blighting our high streets and town centres.”
Around £230million of the new cash will cover pay rises for staff and the increased cost of National Insurance Contributions. And £339million of additional cash will allow force bosses to focus on local priorities.
The Government also announced that courts could impose new counter-terrorism orders on youths – such as restricting their internet use. New figures show 13% of those being investigated by MI5 over involvement in UK terrorism are under 18. In the year ending September 2010 there were just three under-18s arrested for terror offences but in the 12 months to September 2024 there were 32.
And 40% of all referrals to the Prevent programme – aimed at steering people away from terrorism – are for children aged 11-15. Ms Cooper said the Government plans to bring in youth diversion orders, allowing police to put strict conditions in place.