PCC says police funding issues risk ‘public safety’
Wiltshire Police’s funding is the third lowest in the country
Last updated 11th Aug 2025
Wiltshire and Swindon's Police and Crime Commissioner says public safety could be at risk unless there is a reform to how Police forces are funded.
It comes as Wiltshire Police continues to make savings to fill a near £7m gap for this year.
Wiltshire Police is the third lowest funded Force in the country with only Essex and Lincolnshire receiving less.
Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “This is not just a budgetary issue, it’s a matter of public safety.
“Wiltshire Police has made remarkable strides in performance, now boasting the lowest crime rate in the country. But without proper funding, we risk undoing all that progress.”
'Could impact service'
Lincolnshire Police recently warned that they would have to cut officer and staff number if they do not receive more funding.
Wiltshire’s Force is currently working to find £6.8m to balance its budget, including a £1.3m gap due to costs from policing national schemes that were meant to be reimbursed, such as the Stonehenge Tunnel or Rwanda asylum projects.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper announced last month that almost three quarters (73%) – which equates to around £5m – had been identified without making cuts to officer numbers.
However, Wiltshire Police has moved out of a number of buildings, reduced its fleet and made cuts to vacant job positions.
“If Wiltshire were funded at the national average, we would have an additional £25 million to invest in frontline policing and support services,” Mr Wilkinson stressed.
“Instead, we are forced to scrutinise every contract line by line and consider painful cuts that could impact service delivery.”
'Outdated' leads to 'underfunded'
The PCC also said that the police funding formula is “outdated”, leaving Wiltshire with a police funding of £238 per head.
This is made up of £115 per head from the Home Office grant as well as council tax.
With both lower than the national average, Wiltshire Police is “severely underfunded”.
Mr Wilkinson also raised concerns about the lack of consideration for policing in local devolution plans.
Wiltshire Council joined forces with Dorset, BCP and Somerset Councils earlier this year to put in a bid to be included in the Devolution Priority Programme.
However, the group – called Heart of Wessex Combined Authority – was turned down.
Swindon Borough Council, which also falls under Wiltshire Police’s jurisdiction, showed low interest in joining the Heart of Wessex and was instead looking at joining Oxfordshire and Berkshire in their Thames Valley plans.
Mr Wilkinson added: “Policing is the bedrock of safe communities. Any reform or restructuring must be properly funded and strategically planned. Right now, we’re being asked to do more with less and that’s simply not sustainable.”