Wiltshire Police faces funding challenge: commissioner urges £15 per year, per home, rise to protect services

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to back a rise in police precept to protect policing services - warning that without it the level of policing service and hard-won improvements could be at risk.

Despite being one of England’s lowest-funded forces, Wiltshire Police has improved performance and trust but rising costs and a £4.6M savings target for 2026/27 mean ‘there are no easy options left’.
 

With the proposal Wiltshire residents will still pay less for policing than most in the south west and is the maximum allowed without triggering a costly referendum.

In light of this, PCC Philip Wilkinson has launched his Use Your Voice: Budget and Precept 2026/27 survey, inviting residents to share views on a proposed increase of £15 a year for a Band D property – just £1.25 a month.

The police precept, together with the Government grant, forms the entire policing budget for the county. Due to the national funding formula, Wiltshire Police remain one of the lowest-funded forces per head of population in England – receiving around £30 less per person for policing than the national average.

You can find out more information on the Precept here: www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/have-your-say/precept-2026

Use Your Voice and complete the survey now: https://bit.ly/PreceptConsultation2026
 

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