Staffordshire Commissioner Secures Approval for Policing Precept Hike Amid National Reforms

In a key meeting yesterday (Monday February 2nd), Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, successfully presented and gained support for a proposed increase in the policing precept, aiming to bolster local law enforcement resources despite ongoing national debates over policing restructuring.

The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel convened on Monday, February 2, at 10:00am in the Oak Room at County Buildings, Stafford, for a session that focused heavily on the 2026/27 budget proposals.   The meeting, which was broadcast live and later made available for public viewing, included discussions on financial strategies, complaint handling, and future planning.

At the heart of the agenda was Adams’ proposal for a 5.22% rise in the policing precept, part of residents’ council tax bills.  This equates to an additional £15 per year—or about 29p per week—for those in band D properties, pushing the total to £302.57 starting in April.   The increase was agreed upon by the panel, providing what Adams described as the “best possible foundation for Staffordshire Police to continue keeping communities safe.”

Adams highlighted recent successes in his address, noting that neighbourhood crime in Staffordshire fell by 13% between October 2024 and September 2025, with home burglaries dropping by 24%.  He emphasized the need for the precept adjustment amid fiscal pressures: “Over the past three years, my office and Staffordshire Police have met demanding savings targets through a robust transformation programme. While the force already delivers strong value for money, further efficiencies are needed. A renewed programme will deliver £15m of additional savings next year to protect frontline services.”

Supporting documents presented included the Budget Report 2026/27 with a Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), Treasury Management Strategy, Reserves Strategy Update, and Capital Strategy and Programme.  These outlined plans to maintain frontline policing while addressing budgetary constraints.

The meeting also covered the annual report on Police Misconduct and Complaint Regulations 2020, though specific statistics and trends were not detailed in public summaries.  Public questions were fielded, touching on topics such as digital forensics and connections to external systems like Elbit, reflecting community engagement in oversight processes. Additional items included feedback from a national conference for Police, Fire and Crime Panels, the resignation of a co-opted independent member, and planning for future meetings.

This local financial decision comes just a week after the UK government announced major policing reforms, including the creation of a National Police Service to handle complex cross-border crimes and a potential reduction in the number of local forces by about two-thirds.   Adams has previously issued statements on these plans, which include proposals to abolish the commissioner role itself, adding a layer of uncertainty to long-term local strategies.

Residents in Stoke-on-Trent and broader Staffordshire can expect the precept changes to fund continued improvements in community safety, with Adams committing to transparency and efficiency.  The full meeting recording is available online for those seeking further details.