Overview

• The National Police Chiefs’ Council warns the £2.1 billion funding settlement leaves a £1.2 billion gap that threatens current workforce levels and crime priorities.
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a real-terms increase of 1.7 per cent annually through 2029 and dismissed suggestions that officer numbers must fall.
• Forces are preparing to deprioritise low-level offences such as shoplifting and mobile phone theft as budgets tighten.
• The Metropolitan Police has announced plans to close its Royal Parks unit and axe 371 safer schools officers under the funding squeeze.
• A Home Office review in December will determine if further resources can uphold Labour’s neighbourhood policing targets and violence-against-women initiatives.