Two police officers helping people

Funding to transform neighbourhood policing

In an unprecedented move to bolster neighbourhood policing, the UK government has announced a significant increase in resources for police forces across England and Wales. This initiative aims to ensure the government's target for additional personnel is met by 2029, marking a crucial step in rebuilding the presence of officers on Britain’s streets.

This investment, which has seen a doubling of the initial £100 million provisional commitment made in December, underscores the government’s determination to tackle the challenges facing local police forces. The dedicated funding forms part of a broader billion-pound boost to policing, aimed at strengthening local crime prevention and enhancing community safety.

A key pledge within the government’s Plan for Change is that every neighbourhood will have a named, contactable officer. This initiative is designed to restore the local knowledge and presence that effective neighbourhood policing demands. The increased number of officers will focus on tackling crimes such as antisocial behaviour, theft, and knife crime, which continue to blight communities across the nation.

Neighbourhood policing QUOTE

Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, said:

“This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country. By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200 million, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs [police community support officers] where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.

“Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate. This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our Plan for Change.

“Restoring local policing will not happen overnight, but this funding boost will get more officers into our town centres and rural areas.”

Scheduled for the next financial year, this investment will enable forces across England and Wales to enhance their local policing teams. Each force is expected to submit their plans to the government by early spring, detailing how they will utilise their allocation to increase visible patrols and boost community safety.

The government’s new Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit, along with new standards for neighbourhood policing, will support the rebuilding of local, visible policing in all communities. This commitment includes thousands more personnel in neighbourhood policing roles and continued support to maintain officer numbers.

In conjunction with the additional funding, the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill will provide officers with enhanced powers, including respect orders to tackle antisocial behaviour and shoplifting effectively. This comprehensive approach combines investment, new powers, and local control over resources, marking the start of a long-term commitment to restore visible policing nationwide.

Visibility and engagement with local communities have always been central to the British policing model. Police leaders agree that maintaining this focus is crucial to effective policing. This funding boost is part of the government’s final police funding settlement, which sees total funding to police forces across the country rise to £17.5 billion next year, an increase of up to £1.1 billion compared to the previous year. This includes additional support for pay awards, employer national contributions, and funding for officer maintenance.

 

Image credit: iStock

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