Police and crime commissioner ‘left with little to no choice’ but to increase precept

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s police and crime commissioner has defended his proposal to increase the policing precept for 2025/26 and says he was “left with little to no choice”.

Darryl Preston “reluctantly” proposed the increase for taxpayers last month, which would equate to a rise of 27p per week for Band D properties, around £14 per year more than 2024-25. This would mean the annual policing precept for a Band D property would increase from £285.48 last year to £299.43.

A public survey garnered 865 validated responses, with 17 per cent holding a neutral stance on increasing the precept, while 67 per cent were generally supportive of the increase, and 16 per cent were generally unsupportive.

The Cambridgeshire police and crime panel met in Peterborough on 5 February 5 to discuss and review the proposed 4.9 per cent increase in the policing precept, which residents would pay as part of their council tax.

Mr Preston told the panel: “ It’s not something any of us take lightly. It’s a very serious responsibility that I have, particularly in light of current economic conditions. It’s worthy of note that I’m not aware of any other police and crime commissioner who has not gone to their panel requesting the maximum amount.”

The crime commissioner emphasised the fact that Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the fourth lowest funded force in the country and argued it may even be lower due to an “outdated and unfair” funding formula.

He added: “Based upon the funding we have received from government, I’m left with little to no choice but to propose an increase in the precept to the maximum allowed.”

Cllr Susan Wallwork, of Fenland District Council, asked the commissioner if the precept increase is just a case of “filling the pot” and not using it to improve the service.

Mr Preston explained that the increase is a case of “paying to maintain” the service.

“Being honest with the public, this isn’t bringing a significant amount of additionality,” he said.

The police and crime panel voted unanimously to support the increase in the precept, which is expected to generate £92.6 million and enable the force to balance its budget. The net total policing grant from the government for Cambridgeshire for 2025-26 is provisionally around £115.8m. With the increased precept, this would leave the force with total funding of £208.5m.