Wales Residents May Face £26 Increase in Policing Costs Next Year

Residents in South Wales could see a £26 rise in policing costs next year, with a proposed 7.37% increase in the police precept.

Wales Residents May Face £26 Increase in Policing Costs Next Year
Wales Residents May Face £26 Increase in Policing Costs Next Year

Cardiff: People in South Wales might pay £26 more for policing next year. The South Wales Police is proposing a 7.37% increase in the precept. This would raise the total budget to £410.12 million, with £195.89 million coming from the precept.

Cardiff would contribute £58.15 million, while Swansea would add £35.99 million. Other contributions include Bridgend at £21.07 million, Merthyr Tydfil at £7.15 million, Neath Port Talbot at £18.82 million, Rhondda Cynon Taf at £30.46 million, and Vale of Glamorgan at £24.22 million.

For Band A properties, the cost would be £252.45. Band B would pay £294.52, Band C £336.60, Band D £378.67, Band E £462.82, Band F £546.97, Band G £631.12, Band H £757.34, and Band I £883.56. The police’s four-year capital program is valued at £147.1 million.

The police and crime panel will review these budget plans on February 4. Initially, a £24 precept was suggested, but it would lead to a £2 million deficit. To balance the budget, the chief constable plans to cut 13 police officer positions.

Even with these cuts, there’s still a £1 million budget gap. The only option left is to raise the precept by £26. Each £1 increase generates £500,000. Compared to other Welsh forces, this proposed increase is the second-lowest.

The police and crime commissioner, along with the chief constable, has carefully considered the precept needed to balance the budget. Since 2011-12, the force has cut £72 million from its budget. Next year, the budget gap is £15.5 million before precept income.

Major cost pressures for 2025-26 include £17 million for pay inflation and £2 million for debt financing. The report notes an increase in government funding from £228.7 million to £243.5 million, but this is mainly offset by new costs.

After accounting for new costs, the actual funding increase is only £2.3 million, or 1.1%. The report indicates that the police settlement for 2025-26 represents a real-terms funding cut, with no capital expenditure funding provided.

Unavoidable cost pressures have created a £13.5 million budget gap before any precept increase. The force has already made £72 million in savings, limiting options for further cuts. The chief constable has agreed to reduce 13 non-neighbourhood and youth engagement officers to help balance the budget.

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