Cambs Police and Crime commissioner defends tax increase

Darryl Preston says he was 'left with little or no choice' to increase the policing precept.

The Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner proposed the 4.9% increase for taxpayers last month, which would equate to an increase of 27p per week for Band D properties, around £14 per year more than 2024/25.

A survey which sought the views of members of the public saw 865 validated responses, with 17% holding a neutral stance on increasing the precept, while 67% were generally supportive of the increase and 16% were generally unsupportive.

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

Mr Preston told the panel: 

"I’m here today coming to you with a proposal around increasing tax of our local residents. 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Cambridgeshire Constabulary is the fourth lowest funded force in the country and argued it may even be lower due to an “outdated and unfair” funding formula.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."

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 £115.8 million. With the increased precept, this would leave the force with total funding of £208.5 million.