Police and Crime commissioners Budget Position

28th January 2026

I am aware that the Chief Constable has made a statement in advance of the Police
and Crime Panel meeting next week, which is highly unusual. I wanted to ensure that
you had received my position, directly from me.
The Government’s figures were predicated on PCCs utilising the maximum amount
possible for the local taxpayers’ policing precept, which was set at £15 a year for a
Band D property. I have decided not to increase the precept by this maximum. At the
Police and Crime Panel on the 4th February, I will be recommending an £11 a year
increase, which is well above inflation.
I have not taken this decision lightly. The budget development process has been the
most exhaustive since I was elected. Having analysed all the evidence and information
provided to me by the Chief Constable, I am confident that my £11 proposal is both
effective and proportionate given the current financial landscape being faced by
residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
What we must all remember, is that it is taxpayers’ money we are dealing with in these
situations. Money that residents have worked hard for and therefore expect the
spending of it to be responsible and actually deliver what they expect. Just because I
can ask local people to pay an additional £15 towards policing, doesn’t mean I should.
They are not ‘cash cows’ for public sector services, and should not be treated as such.
The maximum amount is not an entitlement, nor is it a rite of passage. I haven’t been
convinced by any views or evidence set forth by the Chief Constable that it was
essential to go for the maximum possible. So I haven’t.
I have always called for more funding for police. That is why Leicestershire Police are
set to receive an above inflation increase to their budget, with over 98% of all available
funds being allocated to them.
My report to the Panel will show that that the force will be expected to make savings of
just £1.2m. Given the force’s excellent savings record, I have every confidence that the
Chief Constable can and will meet that savings target.
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
Police Headquarters, St John’s, Enderby, Leicester LE19 2BX Telephone 0116 229 8980
Email: OPCC@leics.police.uk Web: www.leics.pcc.police.uk
The above inflation increase in the police budget has been in part funded by a cut to the
budget of my own office of 3%. This money will be 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. My budget
recommendation does just that.
Papers for the Police and Crime Panel meeting on the 4th February are now live on the
County Council website for you to read.
I look forward to presenting my recommendation to the Panel on behalf of residents
across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Yours sincerely
Rupert Matthews
Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland