FAQs

The police precept is part of your annual council tax charge which provides essential funding for our local police services in West Yorkshire. It is similar to local charges for adult social care and fire and rescue services which you can also see on your annual council tax bill.

The Mayor, Tracy Brabin, has responsibility for policing in West Yorkshire and this includes setting the annual budget for West Yorkshire Police and the level of the police precept for the coming year. The Government sets expectations for what level the police precept should be, and Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales consult local residents on these funding proposals.

The Government does provide most of the funding for local policing but 23% of West Yorkshire Police’s budget comes from local residents’ council tax payments through the police precept. All parts of the country help to fund their local police services in this way.

Contributing 23% of the overall police budget, the funding gained through the police precept is extremely important in supporting police services across West Yorkshire. Money raised in this way will support all aspects of local policing, from neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, to supporting victims of crime, roads policing, safeguarding vulnerable people, and specialist services like economic crime and digital forensics.

As we saw in the autumn budget, the legacy of austerity has taken its toll and left in its wake some extremely difficult choices and financial pressures. Government cuts since 2010 mean West Yorkshire is one of only a few forces nationally to face reductions greater than 10% with a current funding gap of over £17m.

We understand that these are challenging times for households. For most residents in West Yorkshire, the proposed increase to the police precept represents less than 24p extra per week.