PCC to propose increase in policing precept

Residents could pay about £15 extra per year for policing in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire from April.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, is proposing a 5.22% increase to the 2026-27 policing precept, which forms part of council tax bills.

Adams is set to present his annual budget at a meeting on Monday. The rise would mean residents living in band D properties would see their annual bill go up to £302.57.

Adams said he remained committed to keeping council tax as low as possible, but warned failing to act would risk service reductions and higher costs in the future.

"Over the past three years, my office and Staffordshire Police have met demanding savings targets through a robust transformation programme," Adams said.

"While the force already delivers strong value for money, further efficiencies are needed.

"A renewed programme will deliver £15m of additional savings next year to protect frontline services."

He said the budget and medium-term financial strategy would provide the "best possible foundation for Staffordshire Police to continue keeping communities safe".

The meeting takes place a week after major national policing reforms were announced by the government.

Shabana Mahmood said the shake-up would create a new National Police Service (NPS) to fight the most complex cross-border crime and could also see the number of local forces in England and Wales cut by about two-thirds.

Adams added: "Staffordshire Police continues to deliver tangible results for residents; neighbourhood crime fell by 13% between October 2024 and September 2025, with home burglaries down by 24%.

"Targeted summer patrols across 19 hotspot locations led to over 90 arrests and a 26% reduction in knife crime in those areas.

"Investment in victim care has also paid off. A new victims' portal has helped deliver an 11% increase in positive victim feedback and improved service."

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