Police share of council tax could rise by 5% - PCC

John Campion said despite the planned rise in the council tax precept, officer and PCSO numbers could still be cut

The share of council tax that West Mercia Police receives could rise by almost 5% next year - a move its police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said is needed to protect front-line policing.

While the force is set to get extra government funding, Conservative PCC John Campion said it was not keeping pace with inflation.

If approved, the 4.91% rise would mean an extra £14 a year for those living in an average Band D property.

Even with that, Mr Campion said savings of £4m were still necessary, adding he had not ruled out cuts to officer numbers and PCSOs in safer neighbourhood teams.

A consultation on the increase has been launched, with the public urged to share their views on the proposals.

The force received a 4.91% rise in its precept in April this year.

But following the government's settlement announcement on 17 December, Mr Campion said another rise was unavoidable.

The government grant was not enough to cover inflation, growing demand on policing and national priorities, he said.

"I therefore have no choice but to look at increasing council tax to address the budget gap we have," he said.

The consultation runs until 16 January.

'Not ideal'

The force receives roughly 55% of its funding from council tax and 45% from a government grant.

He said West Mercia Police was among the forces to have made the lowest rises in its council tax precept over the past eight years in England and Wales.

Almost £4.1m must be saved in the 2025-26 budget and decisions might have to be made to "turn down some activity or stop some activity", Mr Campion said.

Looking at how to buy things more cheaply, IT costs and activities the force supported like youth engagement "may be done at a different level".

"I do agree it's not ideal, but we do have choices to make as an organisation," he added.

While he said he wanted to protect police numbers, there was the potential "the workforce could be smaller at the end of this process".

A decision on who the next chief constable will be should be made in February with them in post later in 2025.