An increase in the amount taxpayers pay towards policing is “critical” for officers to continue to tackle crime, as a police chief has criticised an unfair funding system.  

Households in County Durham will pay up to £15 more per year towards the police precept – a 6.2 per cent increase in line with the growing economic crisis.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Joy Allen, says her “hands are tied” and must enforce the rise to maintain officer numbers at the current levels, while also enabling the force to cope against rising costs.

However, commissioner Allen hit out at the “unfair funding system” which she says places neighbouring counties including Nork Yorkshire at a distinct advantage in securing revenue – while holding back others including Durham.

She said the £15 precept increase will raise £2.6m in County Durham while in North Yorkshire it will secure £4.5m. Previous cuts to Government funding saw the force lose 27 per cent of its overall police strength – a total of 408 officers – compared to North Yorkshire, which lost just four per cent (61 officers).

There are currently 1,363 police officers and 146 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) working in the force area but Durham police is 153 officers short compared to 2010, according to force data.

The Northern Echo: PCC Joy Allen has hit out at the Government for its lack of support PCC Joy Allen has hit out at the Government for its lack of support (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“Until the Government reverses its outdated and inadequate funding formula and outlines a plan that will deliver consistency, counties like Durham will continue to suffer and stagnate in the shadows of their neighbours,” said Commissioner Allen.

“I am not asking for special treatment here – just for a levelling up of support that recognises our unique problems and puts us in the same playing field as the rest of the country.

“If the Government is going to insist on burdening taxpayers with higher bills to meet the gaps from central funding, then it needs urgently to level up or else trigger wider inequalities than those that already exist.”

Currently, County Durham receives only the fourteenth highest funding settlement per head of population in England and Wales – despite having the ninth highest recorded crime rates.

Other problems stem from the fact a high proportion of households in the force area fall into Council Tax Band A – the lowest category – which means that a one per cent rise in the precept does not have the same impact as in neighbouring forces.

“Our officers do a fantastic job to keep our communities safe and I am pleased more than half of all residents back my plans to protect them even further.

“Increasing the precept at what is an incredibly difficult time for householders and families is not a decision any commissioner wants to make and is not one I take lightly. However, my hands are literally tied – there is no other option if I am to maintain police officer and PCSOs at their current levels.

“The people of Durham and Darlington quite rightly want to see police officers on their streets. This budget will continue to deliver the exceptional level of service expected by our communities and will go some way to protecting the innovative and pioneering work that has already put Durham Constabulary on the map.”

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In response to the comments, the Home Office said it is up to PCCs to decide the police precept levels.

A spokesman added: “The Government has confirmed that funding to policing will increase by up to £287 million in 2023-24 to £17.2 billion. Around two-thirds of funding for PCCs comes from Government grants with around a third coming from a share of council tax – known as the police precept.”