Funding deal is good for public and police, but bad for criminals

The police have not always had the support they’ve needed, but that is changing. The Government has just announced the most generous funding package for the policing system in a decade.

In 2020-21 the funding available for policing will rise by more than

£1.1 billion – should police and crime commissioners choose to take full advantage of the flexibility to set the police precept. In resource terms, that includes an increase of nearly 10 per cent on the core grant we gave forces last year. And what is this extra money being spent on? More officers on your streets. That’s millions more for more visible policing, out there preventing and tackling crime in your area. Bringing the result that you – the public – want to see.

A reduction in the number of victims of crime. Because lives are being lost. Families are being devastated. Communities are being torn apart. We must bring an end to this violence.

But this is the public’s money and they need to see results for their investment. So it’s only right the Government holds them to account and we expect to see measurable outcomes from this generous settlement. That means more officers on the ground. Driving a digitally enabled culture which can keep pace with modern threats. Swapping paper-based forms for mobile digital working and using devices which allow them to access data in real time. And making greater efficiencies – saving money on back-office services that are better invested in the front line.

The police are already on track to deliver savings of £30million by the end of the next financial year from procurement alone, on top of the £70 million achieved since 2018-19.

This new investment supports the delivery of 6,000 more officers by the end of March 2021 across England and Wales. Putting us on track for 20,000 additional officers over the next three years. This funding settlement will also provide £150million to fight serious and organised criminals and £39million to tackle serious violence including county lines drugs gangs that exploit our children.

On top of that there is £8million for science, technology and research, and a new science adviser so we can be smarter about the mission too.

This funding settlement is a great deal for the police and public and a bad day for criminals.

We back the police and this settlement represents a big step in our national mission to get crime down.

‘We back the police and this settlement represents a big step in our national mission to get crime down’