Funding black hole could see West Midlands lose 80 police officers - PCC

The warning comes after the government announced a funding shortfall totalling £41 million to policing in the region.  It could see a person in an average Band D property paying an extra £15 in council tax.

PCC Simon Foster, says he is ‘deeply concerned and frustrated’ by the news, which could partly undo recent progress made in recruiting additional police officers for West Midlands Police after years of austerity.

The commissioner said he was already aware of a £27 million gap in the finances, because claims the force is seriously structurally under-funded, and had worked with them to earmark savings in 2026/27.

But before Christmas, he said the problem worsened when he was was told there was likely to be a £41 million black hole instead.

Finance Chiefs at the force and the commissioner’s office are now working hard to balance the books, but Mr Foster is concerned the adverse funding news could mean the number of neighbourhood police officers on the beat has to reduce.

The commissioner is already asking the public if it is prepared to pay an extra £15 per year in council tax, on an average band D property, to cover some of the shortfall. 

In addition, the force thinks it can use around £5.5 million from its reserves and make savings and efficiencies of around £12 million. but Mr Foster said it would not cover the full funding gap.

He said: “I am deeply concerned and frustrated by this news from government. It is completely unacceptable to the people of the West Midlands.  

“I have spent years campaigning, acting and working to rebuild neighbourhood policing and just as we were starting to see extra officers recruited we get this awful news, which could see up to 80 officers taken away again.

“This will be a real body blow to communities who tell me they so desperately need more police out on the streets to prevent and tackle crime and keep people, families, businesses and communities safe and secure.

“I am writing to the government, calling on ministers to work with us to find the much-needed funding that will fix this problem.”

Before this news broke, West Midlands Police was projected to still have 520 fewer police officers, by April 2026, than in 2010. This funding announcement could see that number climb to 600.

Mr Foster said the vast majority of other police forces in the countrynow have as many police officers as they had in 2010, if not more police officers, than they have ever had in their force histories.