Lancashire residents asked for views on police funding

A public survey has been launched to ask Lancashire residents for their views on the money they pay towards policing.

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, is asking residents to share their opinions on the policing precept, the portion of council tax that funds policing, victim support, crime prevention, and community safety.

Last year the Commissioner published his Police and Crime Plan, which reflects the priorities and concerns of communities across the county.

Mr Grunshaw is now working to set a budget that will give the Chief Constable the resources needed to deliver on key areas, including neighbourhood policing, tackling violence against women and girls, and supporting victims of crime.

Lancashire Constabulary currently has a budget of £424.76m Around £292.54m of this (69 per cent) comes from the Government and the other 31% from council tax policing precept.

Government rules limit how much Police and Crime Commissioners can raise through the precept each year.

To maintain the current level of service for 2026/27, the Government has this week announced that Lancashire will need a budget of £ 434.4m.

This requires an increase of £15 per year in council tax for a Band D property – equivalent to 19p per week for a Band A property or £22p per week  for Band B, the most common bands in Lancashire.

“As your elected Police and Crime Commissioner, one of my key responsibilities is setting the policing budget for 2026/27, and I want to hear your views,” said Mr Grunshaw.

“Our public services have been under an enormous amount of pressure for the last fifteen years. My core principles in setting this precept are ensuring the minimum burden on local taxpayers, that Lancashire Constabulary keep people safe and give value for money, and deliver our locally agreed priorities.

“I know times are tough, with the rising cost of living affecting everyone. This also impacts the cost of running our police service, with inflation and higher costs for pay, utilities, and insurance. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure every pound you contribute works hard to maintain and improve services.

“Income raised through the precept will help deliver the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan, shaped by consultation with Lancashire residents. These include strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling violence against women and girls, and getting tough on serious violent crime.”

Here is the link to the online survey.

It closes at noon on January 14.