PCC budget approved to increase funding for policing in Hertfordshire
Plans to increase police officer numbers and protect neighbourhood policing receive unanimous approval from Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Panel
The Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s proposal to increase funding for the county's police service has been unanimously approved, securing the largest ever number of officers and strengthening neighbourhood policing.
The £18.8 million funding increase will see Hertfordshire Constabulary’s officer numbers rise to a new record high of 2,405. This includes a focus on protecting front-line officers and ensuring neighbourhood PCSOs remain in place, despite financial pressures.
Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, presented the budget to Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Panel, made up of councillors from across Hertfordshire, is responsible for scrutinising the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
He explained that 63% of residents who responded to his precept consultation supported an additional £14 rise in the police precept for Band D properties. This increase will raise an additional £7.38 million for the force.
“I welcome the unanimous, cross-party support from the Police & Crime Panel for my proposed budget and police precept for the coming financial year,” said Mr Ash-Edwards. “The focus of Hertfordshire Constabulary is to reduce crime, catch criminals and keep people safe. This budget will help that work, by increasing police officer numbers to a new record high and protecting the number of neighbourhood PCSOs.”
The approved budget sets Hertfordshire’s policing funding for 2025-26 at £313 million, a rise from £294.2 million the previous year. Despite the increase in funding, Hertfordshire’s Band D precept remains the fifth lowest in England and Wales at £265.
A report presented to the panel showed that, of the residents who responded to the consultation, 26% opposed the rise and 11% remained neutral.