Communities across York and North Yorkshire could see continued investment in frontline policing under new proposals to increase the police and crime precept for 2026/27.
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has set out plans to raise the policing and crime precept by £15 per year for a Band D property, equivalent to 29 pence per week. The proposal is aimed at protecting frontline services, sustaining recent reductions in crime and ensuring residents continue to feel safe and be safe.
The proposal will be presented to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel on Thursday 5 February for consideration.
The proposed increase follows a public consultation that received nearly 3,000 responses. Of those who took part, 66% supported an increase of £14 or more, indicating broad public backing for additional investment in local policing.
The Mayor said the proposed £15 level reflects the majority view expressed during the consultation, while helping North Yorkshire Police manage unavoidable cost pressures facing the service.
The proposal comes after the Chief Constable provided an assurance letter highlighting continued improvements in policing performance across the region.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith commented:
“Our emergency services do an amazing job keeping us safe. It’s vital they have the resources to do that well, but I’m also mindful that when family finances are tight, every pound of public money must be spent wisely.”
“Our priority is keeping people in York and North Yorkshire safe. The Chief Constable’s latest assurance letter shows that crime is coming down in key areas with over 1,000 fewer people being victims in the past year.”
“We have doubled the Mayor’s Community Fund for early intervention and prevention, enabling more community projects to stop crime before it happens, support vulnerable people and strengthen neighbourhoods across our region, ensuring people are safe and feel safe.
“In setting the precept, I’ve been focused on balancing the services people rightly expect with placing the minimum possible burden on households.”
According to the latest figures, total recorded crime is down by 3.4%, 94% of emergency calls are now answered within 10 seconds, and anti-social behaviour has fallen by 15%.
These improvements have been attributed to a focus on neighbourhood policing, response standards and increased police visibility in local communities.
The Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime has also pressed the Home Office to ensure that national policing reforms and the government’s efficiency programme reflect the needs of rural and mixed areas such as York and North Yorkshire.
If approved by the Panel, the additional funding generated through the precept increase will help to:
- Maintain neighbourhood policing teams
- Support visible policing in towns, villages and rural areas
- Sustain ongoing efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour
The Panel’s decision will determine whether the proposed precept increase is implemented for the 2026/27 financial year.
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