Federation welcomes provisional funding settlement

20 December 2021

The Federation has welcomed the news that Derbyshire Police will receive an additional £10.9 million of Home Office funding next year.

But Derbyshire branch chair Tony Wetton is warning that the proposed top-up will not repair the damage done to policing from years of austerity and must be accompanied by a long-term commitment in funding to enable proper planning.

Tony said: “We have consistently said that you cannot run a police service on the cheap, so this announcement of extra Home Office money is very welcome news – dare I say it is about time that the Government put its money where its mouth is?

“It is worth remembering though that policing here in Derbyshire was decimated during the austerity years and we are still rebuilding from the shock of that. We need multi-year investment as this is the only way that our Chief Constable can plan for the long-term.

“We also need money to invest in infrastructure, police stations, facilities for officers and in fair pair for officers particularly now with the rising cost of living.”

The announcement on 16 December means Derbyshire can expect to receive £215.6m for 2022/23, if agreed in the New Year following a debate in Parliament.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Reducing crime is a top priority for this Government and I will continue working with police leaders to ensure this unprecedented investment results in less crime and fewer victims.”

The funding is intended to help deliver the Government’s Beating Crime Plan, which has the objectives of achieving fewer victims and safer neighbourhoods, with a particular focus on driving down homicide, violence and neighbourhood crime.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, College of Policing CEO, said: “The demands and complexity of policing are changing, and it is important that forces have the resource to continue tackling traditional crime types such as burglary, while also listening to the public and renewing our focus to better protect women and girls, improve diversity and build trust.”