Dear Resident,
As Mayor of West Yorkshire, I am responsible for setting the annual budget for West Yorkshire Police. This includes agreeing the local police precept- the part of the Council Tax that helps to fund local policing. Police and crime commissioners have a statutory duty to consult with residents and decide on precept levels for the following year and I am inviting the people of West Yorkshire to give me their views on funding our local police service.
Funding remains a challenge for our local police service with serious concerns about the long-term pressures given the very significant real terms reduction in the size of West Yorkshire Police’s budget in addition to increased demand and complexity of policing activity. Despite using reserves, not filling staff vacancies, and the efficiency programme, West Yorkshire Police is facing a funding gap of almost £10 million next year despite taking measures to reduce it.
Funds raised by an increased precept would cut this by almost £3.5 million, moving us towards a stronger financial position where we can maintain the police service we need to keep our communities safe, just and inclusive.
Over the past year we have worked closely with West Yorkshire Police to maintain strong performance across all areas of crime, ensuring all victims get a good level of service in a timely manner. For example:
· Crime levels have fallen, with more than 5,000 fewer victims in the last 12 months.
· Victim Satisfaction has risen by over 3 percentage points to 73.9%.
· Figures for the year up to September 2025 show that neighbourhood crime has dropped by 33% compared to the national baseline period.
However, we know from conversations with residents during our recent Serious Violence Consultation, it doesn’t always feel like crime levels are down and we are continually working to build public trust and confidence in the police service. We also know that police presence and neighbourhood policing are both concerns for residents.