PCC Looks to Increase Police Precept to Keep Policing Standards High

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to back a rise in the police precept to protect policing services, warning that without it the level of policing service and hard-won improvements could be at risk.

Despite being one of England’s lowest-funded forces, Wiltshire Police has improved performance and trust, but rising costs and a £4.6M savings target for 2026/27 mean ‘there are no easy options left’.

With the proposal, Wiltshire residents will still pay less for policing than most in the south west, and this is the maximum allowed without triggering a costly referendum.

In light of this, PCC Philip Wilkinson has launched his Use Your Voice: Budget and Precept 2026/27 survey -  inviting residents to share views on a proposed increase of £15 a year for a Band D property – just £1.25 a month.

The police precept, together with the Government grant, forms the entire policing budget for the county. Due to the national funding formula, Wiltshire Police remain one of the lowest-funded forces per head of population in England – receiving around £30 less per person for policing than the national average.

Rising costs - including pay awards, National Insurance, fuel, utilities, essential equipment and a complex crime picture alongside increasing demand - mean Wiltshire Police must still save £4.6M in 2026/27.

Wiltshire Police has said it has identified the efficiencies for 2026/27 via workforce redesign across Local Policing, Specialist Operations and Crime Investigations, the removal of frozen posts – subject to final scrutiny and consultation, technology and equipment efficiencies which align to our longer-term technology strategy and further rationalisation of our estate footprint.

Mr Wilkinson has guaranteed there will not be a reduction in police officer numbers.

Mr Wilkinson stressed Wiltshire Police takes the lowest precept per head in the south west but because the force is awarded one of the lowest Government grants nationally there was no choice but to raise the precept to help maintain current service levels and protect recent improvements.

He said: “Despite this funding disparity, Wiltshire Police is improving and has made clear progress – more visible officers, faster response times, better justice outcomes.

“Wiltshire is safer and finally our communities are feeling it but these improvements come at a cost. It would also be completely unfair to suggest that there is a choice in the precept proposal – there isn’t.

“A smaller – or no – increase would put frontline services at risk. A larger increase isn’t viable without a referendum, which would waste money we need for policing. Every internal saving is being looked at and is being squeezed. There are no easy options left.

“Without reform to the funding formula, which the government seem loathe to do, or a precept rise, which the government assume will just be picked up by the taxpayers locally, services will suffer.”

Wiltshire Police’s budget is set by Mr Wilkinson but is based upon the operational policing advice from the Chief Constable and informed by the consultation with residents and stakeholders.

Mr Wilkinson said: “We are in a period of seismic change for policing. More than ever before, it is vital for policing across our county that we make the right decisions so Wiltshire Police’s improvement and transformation journey can continue and so that residents get the police service they want – and deserve.

“Wiltshire Police has made clear progress over the past year: increasing officer visibility, strengthening training and development, improving response times and achieving better justice outcomes. These improvements are helping to rebuild community confidence and ensure the force is meeting its HMICFRS obligations.”

Mr Wilkinson added: “To save what’s needed, sustain recent improvements and transform for the future, the Force will need more than efficiencies. Continued transformation in systems, structures and ways of working is essential to protect progress and deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, police service for Wiltshire.

“Although the Government has announced its intention to replace Police and Crime Commissioners with new local governance arrangements from 2028, the current model remains fully in place until that transition occurs.

“This means I am still legally responsible for setting the police budget and precept every year until the handover. The decisions made now – particularly around funding, investment and long-term transformation – will shape Wiltshire Police well beyond 2028.

“It is therefore essential that residents continue to share their views so that policing remains properly funded, community priorities are reflected and the Force stays on a stable, improving trajectory during this period of change.”

Residents are being invited to share their views on whether the proposed increase feels fair and proportionate, given the savings required and the transformation needed to keep Wiltshire Police resilient in the years ahead.

You can find out more information on the Precept here: www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/precept-2026. The Use Your Voice survey is open now: https://bit.ly/PreceptConsultation2026