Police & Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools announces £2.21 per month (6.99%) increase to South Wales Precept

Emma Wools, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for South Wales announces a £2.21 per month (for a Band D property) increase to the Precept, focused on protecting frontline policing, ensuring continuity of service and delivering on the priorities within her Police, Crime and Justice Plan.

The proposal comes at a time of national reform and the PCC’s focus remains on ensuring stability for South Wales Police, driving and sustaining performance improvement and continuity of service for the public, keeping communities safe.

The proposed precept increase of £26.47 per year / £2.21 per month for a Band D property, will provide vital investment to ensure South Wales Police can continue to respond to rising and

increasingly complex demand, retain officers and staff, and protect neighbourhood policing across the force area.

PCC Emma Wools said:

“As Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, I am unequivocally committed to ensuring that policing across our communities is delivered to the highest possible standard, the difficult decision to increase the precept, will ensure we can continue to deliver and keep the public and our communities safe.

“I know and understand that this year’s precept is being set in the context of a challenging national funding environment, and at a time when household budgets are under significant strain.

“But we need to be clear with the public that this increase is vital to ensure the continuity of service they expect from their police force. Balancing the funding needs of South Wales Police, alongside the pressure from the cost-of-living crisis has been central to my decision-making process in setting out our financial proposal.”

Following a successful presentation to the Police and Crime Panel, a £26.47 increase per annum was agreed. The percentage increase to the Precept will be 6.99%, for each household that means:

• £2.21 increase per month for a Band D property
• £1.96 increase per month for Band C
• £1.72 increase per month for Band B
• £1.47 increase per month for Band A

Finally, Emma Wools said:

“The precept proposal that I am putting forward, is about supporting the public’s priorities and delivering the things that matter most to our communities.

“That means continued investment in neighbourhood policing and place-based approaches to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour; it means ensuring funding is there for critical work, such as violence against women and girls and violence prevention more broadly.

“Against the backdrop of change and uncertainty, I want to be absolutely clear with the people of South Wales, who elected me to serve a full term; I will continue to deliver their priorities, for their communities, I will continue to hold South Wales Police to account and work to deliver the ambitions set out in my Police, Crime and Justice Plan for South Wales.”