Funding Boost for South West Policing to Make Streets Safer

Significant increase in police funding for Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, and other South West forces announced

Police forces across the South West are set to receive a major funding boost next year as part of the government’s Plan for Change, with cash increases of at least 5% announced for the region.

The funding aims to tackle anti-social behaviour, restore neighbourhood policing, and help keep streets safer. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, revealed the figures as part of a nationwide settlement that will see up to £19.5 billion allocated to police forces across England and Wales.

Funding Breakdown for the South West

The provisional settlement includes the following allocations for South West forces:

• Devon and Cornwall: £455 million, a cash increase of 5.9%.
• Avon and Somerset: £436 million, a cash increase of 6%.
• Dorset: £191 million, a cash increase of 6%.
• Wiltshire: £171 million, a cash increase of 6.2%.
• Gloucestershire: £167 million, a cash increase of 5.9%.

This increase forms part of a national effort to crack down on crime and reinvigorate neighbourhood policing.

National Police Investment

On a national scale, an additional £1 billion will be injected into the policing system, with the bulk of the funding—up to £17.4 billion—allocated to Police and Crime Commissioners and Mayors. This represents an increase of up to £987 million compared to last year.

Key areas of investment include:

• £339 million more for the police core grant, supporting general running costs and local priorities.
• £230 million to cover increased costs arising from changes to National Insurance Contributions.
• £100 million in new funding to recruit 13,000 additional neighbourhood officers, community support officers, and special constables.

Safer Streets Mission

Yvette Cooper said the funding will help deliver on the government’s Safer Streets mission, stating:

“This vital funding boost will enable forces to kickstart the recruitment of neighbourhood police officers and crack down on the crimes blighting our high streets and town centres. … We recognise the financial and operational challenges that police forces across the country have faced in recent years.”

Police Reform Plans

The funding follows the recent announcement of major police reforms, including a new Police Performance Unit to monitor local performance and a National Centre of Policing to harness advancements in technology and forensics.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson emphasised the importance of the settlement, saying:

“We are determined to deliver for the people up and down this country and make good on our promise to reform policing, halve knife crime and tackle anti-social behaviour head on.”

The funding marks a step towards bolstering neighbourhood policing across the South West, ensuring officers are visible, contactable, and working closely with residents and businesses.

With the investment set to begin next year, communities in Devon, Cornwall, and beyond will be watching closely to see its impact on their local areas.