Row breaks out over police budget in Leicestershire

The Temporary Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner are divided on how much extra money is needed to police our streets.

The Chief Constable says he advised the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) that a 29p per week / £15 precept increase in 2026/2027 was necessary to address the force’s funding deficit and to help future funding gaps. However, the PCC has decided to set the local precept increase level at 21p per week / £11 a year.

David Sandall said: “I recognise that no-one really wants to pay more tax and of course we recognise the pressures on people’s finances, with many in force managing financial pressures. However, this must be balanced with the ability to prevent harm, keep people safe and ensure that we can deliver an efficient and effective police service and have the resources to do this.

“We are already one of the lowest funded police forces nationwide (7th lowest out of 43) and it is a credit to my officers and staff at Leicestershire Police that we rank within the top eight performing forces, a real testament to the dedication of our officers, PCSOs, staff and volunteers.”

Leicestershire Police says in the last three years the force has seen a reduction in funding of £23m. 

“I do not think the budget provided is the right decision for the public or the force. It is important that I am clear on my legal obligations to deliver this police service to the people of LLR and to be respectful of the PCC’s responsibilities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives, said his budget has a lower-than-expected increase for local contributions, but an above inflation rise to the police.

Mr Matthews said: "Just because I can ask local people to pay an additional £15 towards policing, it doesn’t mean I should.” he said today. “The maximum amount is not an entitlement; it is not a rite of passage. I haven’t been convinced by any views saying that it was essential to go for the maximum possible, so I haven’t. "

He said “Given the force’s excellent savings record, I have every confidence that the Chief Constable can and will meet that savings target.”

“The above inflation increase in the police budget has been in part funded by a cut to the budget of his own office of 3%, money which will reinvested in frontline policing. As a result, the force will benefit from over 98% of all the available funds.

“I wanted to find a balance whereby the force was not compromised financially, and the public were not paying a penny more than absolutely essential,” he said.

“My responsibility is to our taxpayers, and I had no evidence to say that another £4 (for a Band D property) would make them safer.”

Mr Matthews and Temporary Chief Constable Sandall will meet to discuss the Budget on 4 February 2026.