Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi yesterday welcomed the policing Minister, Nick Hurd’s announcement of a £450 million increase in police funding across England and Wales. This includes up to an additional £270 million in police force budgets so that individual forces have the resources they need to respond to changes in demand.

In Warwickshire, police funding could increase by up to £2.9 million in 2018/19 as a result of these changes.

The Minister also announced that Police and Crime Commissioners will be given the flexibility to increase funding for their Force further by increasing the Council Tax policing precept by up to £1 a month for a typical household without the need to call a local referendum.

Mr Zahawi has also welcomed news that the counter terrorism policing budget will rise by 7 per cent, with a £50 million increase taking it to at least £757 million, and £130 million extra for national policing priorities.

Commenting, Mr Zahawi said:

“During the Home Secretary’s recent visit to Warwickshire, I made my views clear to her that giving our PCC and others the ability to raise the policing precept further would make a considerable difference in ensuring Forces like Warwickshire Police get the future funding they need. I am pleased this has now happened.

“The first responsibility of government is to keep our country and its citizens safe, and to protect our way of life and our values. Over the past seven years crime has fallen by more than a third across the country, but we know there is more to do, particularly in Warwickshire where the most recent figures have sadly shown crime rates rising. That is why this additional funding is all the more welcome”.