Despite pledges of supplementary government funding, Lincolnshire Police will not be able to increase their patrols within the region this summer, says Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Marc Jones. The Home Office’s recent commitment to boosting police numbers in town centres and high streets across the UK – a bid to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour – will not benefit Lincolnshire, suggests Jones. “It’s simply untrue,” he argues, pointing to the force’s struggle to preserve existing frontline services.
While the Home Office claims that Lincolnshire Police will be the recipient of £174.5 million of funding for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 6.2% rise from the previous year, Jones maintains that the funds are insufficient. The government’s Safer Streets initiative, which plans to enhance police visibility in ten Lincolnshire areas, is “unrealistic,” according to Jones.
He has expressed criticism of the existing funding formula, which results in Lincolnshire receiving the country’s lowest funding per head. Chief Constable Paul Gibson has likewise issued a warning – without additional funds, the force could face a shortage of almost £70 million, which may necessitate the loss of 400 jobs, including 200 officers and 200 staff members.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
