Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe has confirmed the police budget for 2025/26, including a necessary increase in the policing precept. The funding will help maintain service levels, enhance police visibility, and improve crime-fighting efforts across the county.
Following the Government’s funding settlement for policing, Warwickshire Police will receive an overall funding increase of 6.4% (£9 million), slightly below the national average increase. Of this total, £5.4 million comes from direct Government grants, while £3.6 million is dependent on an increase in the Police Precept—the portion of the budget funded through Council Tax.
Police and Crime Panel backs budget
The Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel approved the budget today (3 February), allowing it to be implemented for the next financial year.
To sustain and enhance policing, the precept will rise by £14 per year (27p per week) for a Band D household. Lower-banded properties will pay less, and higher bands will pay more.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe welcomed the panel’s support, stating:
“I am pleased that the Police and Crime Panel has endorsed this budget, recognising the importance of sustaining and improving policing services across Warwickshire. Their support ensures that we can move forward with our plans to strengthen neighbourhood policing, increase officer numbers, and continue delivering the improvements our communities expect.”
Prioritising frontline policing
Announcing the budget provisions, Mr Seccombe emphasised the importance of ensuring Warwickshire remains a safe and secure place to live, work, and visit.
“This budget is designed to maintain and improve frontline policing services, ensuring that Warwickshire Police remains responsive to the needs of our communities,” he said. “The additional investment will allow Warwickshire Police to build on recent improvements, increase police officer numbers and enhance neighbourhood policing.”
It includes funding to increase police officer numbers and also support the work of specialist units dealing with domestic abuse, burglary, vehicle crime and theft, ensuring that victims receive a high standard of service.
In total, the 2025/26 budget will allow Warwickshire Police to:
- Recruit an additional eight police officers, raising the total number to a record 1,130 and enhancing the force’s ability to respond to crime.
- Strengthen neighbourhood policing teams to improve visibility and engagement in communities.
- Maintain a strong presence of dedicated Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
- Improve investigations into burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, leading to better outcomes for victims.
- Enhance emergency response capabilities through improved technology and call handling systems.
- Invest in specialist teams tackling domestic abuse, rape, and serious organised crime.
- Upgrade police infrastructure, including modernised vehicles, IT systems, and officer training.
The budget will also support the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner in funding continued support services for victims of crime, including provisions for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, child exploitation and other specialist services.
Public thanked for consultation response
The budget was shaped by a public consultation with over 1,100 responses, where 59% supported the maximum precept increase.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the budget consultation in December and January, Mr Seccombe added. “While any decision to raise taxation is a difficult one, I have carefully considered the views of residents, local businesses, and community leaders before coming to my decision.
“I understand that increasing the Police Precept is not going to be universally popular, especially in the current economic climate. However, without this additional funding and the savings we have identified, we would be unable to maintain even a standstill budget. That would mean significant challenges in delivering the improvements that the public want to see. Nobody wants to see Warwickshire Police go backwards and, with the national funding settlement structured in the way it is, I have little alternative but to opt for the maximum level of increase.”
Efficiency and financial planning
To address financial pressures and rising costs, Warwickshire Police will continue to identify efficiency savings, while ensuring frontline services remain protected. Over £2 million in savings will be required in 2025/26 to balance the books, with over half already identified. These are through improved procurement processes and productivity gains through digital innovation, with the remainder to be identified by the force during the year.
Mr Seccombe concluded: “This budget ensures Warwickshire Police remains well-equipped and capable of meeting future challenges, while striking a fair deal for the taxpayer by asking the force to be more efficient in how it spends public money. On behalf of residents I will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account to deliver real benefits for Warwickshire’s communities, while ensuring that the savings targets are delivered without impacting services to the public.”
