Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire plans to increase number of officers in community roles as part of budget for 2024/25

More than 100 officers are planned to be redeployed into high-visibility neighbourhood policing and response roles in communities across the county.

As part of police funding plans, communities in Nottinghamshire will see an increase of 187 officers within the community over the next year.

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry announced her intention to maintain officer numbers at over 2,400 as well as 150 PCSOs.

The plans were part of a presentation on the proposed police precept and draft budget for the next financial year, which went before the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel at County Hall on Monday (February 5).

Commissioner Henry said that following a demand review, the force was set to reallocate 105 PCs to neighbourhood policing roles and 72 PCs and 10 sergeants to response policing roles.

She said: “Police officer numbers is one of the key issues that people tell me is important to them when I’m out and about in the community and our engagement and consultation exercise has also shown a real strength of feeling around this.”

Neighbourhood police officers are dedicated to community issues including problem solving, crime prevention and enforcement.

Response officers are dispatched in patrol cars across the force to answer public calls to help – including emergency blye light calls.

A pledge for officers to attend all burglaries will also be maintained and the force plans on having a dedicated lead for shop thefts.

Mrs Henry asked the panel to support her intention to increase the council tax precept by 4.8%, an increase of £12.96 on a Band D property to £282.15 a year.

She added: “The consultation also highlighted that many people have been struggling with the cost of living, but despite this, the majority supported a modest increase in the precept.

“It is a difficult balance to get right, as staffing costs make up around two thirds of all Nottinghamshire Police’s expenditure.

“But through some prudent efficiency savings, some additional Government grants and a modest increase in the council tax precept, we can safeguard those high police officer numbers that people want to see in their neighbourhoods.”

The budget plans identify £5.2m of savings and efficiencies to help reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

It includes £2m of efficiencies due to service redesigns, removal of temporary posts and conclusion of fixed-term contracts.

A total of £2.5m has been found from investment income and reduced interest paid on loans, while £700,000 has been found through savings from premises, computing, supplies and additional income.

A consultation, which includes 5,000 people, through a door-to-door survey, online survey, focus groups and pop-up stalls across the county helped determine how the precept should be set.

Mrs Henry told the panel that she would be safeguarding the £4.2m budget for grants and commissioning through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire to continue vital work to support victims and prevent crime, help people feel safe and protect them from becoming victims of crime.

The panel supported the recommendations and a final decision on the precept will be made by Commissioner Henry in the coming days.