Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, Simon Foster, said he is “deeply concerned” by the provisional police funding settlement, which he says he fears could lead to serious cuts.
He said: “I am deeply concerned at the announcement of the Provisional Police Funding Settlement. The figures, as currently published, could mean cuts of up to £41.1 million for West Midlands Police in 2026/27.
“I am launching a public engagement on how much local council tax the people of the West Midlands want to invest into local policing. However, even if I decide to invest the total amount available, the force will still be facing cuts of £29.5 million in 2026/27.
“West Midlands Police are already seriously short changed, as compared with the vast majority of other police forces in the country. By April 2026, we expect to still have at least 520 fewer police officers than in 2010 and a national funding formula that leaves us £43 million short every year.
“However, the vast majority of other police forces in the country now have as many police officers as they had in 2010, if not more police officers, than they have ever had in their force histories. That is deeply unfair to the people of the West Midlands.
“I am concerned this settlement could mean cuts to police officers and police staff, including cuts to neighbourhood policing. This settlement will make it more difficult to deliver on the government’s national missions, to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls.
“However, it is not too late. This is only the provisional funding settlement. The final settlement will not be announced until the 30 January 2026. We must end this postcode lottery in police funding. I am calling on government not to impose these cuts on policing in the West Midlands and instead return our 520 police officers and deliver fair funding for our region.
“I am committed to working with West Midlands Police and government, to ensure we are able to build on the progress that has been made and deliver on my Police and Crime Plan, the government’s national missions and in particular, our commitments to prevent and tackle crime, rebuild community policing, reduce violence, improve road safety, prioritise the rights and welfare of victims and keep the people, families, businesses and communities of the West Midlands safe and secure.”
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