PCC brands £41m of cuts to West Midlands Police budget as ‘unacceptable’

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has issued a warning that West Midlands Police could lose up to 80 officers following a ‘frustrating’ budget cut.

The announced budget would cut £41 million from police funding in the West Midlands.  

In response, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has expressed “deep concern and frustration”.  

After years of austerity, the progress that has been made recently in police officer recruitment is now at risk of reversal. What Foster describes as “years campaigning, acting, and working to rebuild neighbourhood policing” could be undone, with up to 80 officers losing their jobs. 

West Midlands Police is considered to be “seriously structurally underfunded” already. A financial deficit of £27 million had already been brought to the Commissioner’s attention, and Foster was working with the force to set aside savings in 2026/27. 

West Midlands Police will aim to utilise its £5.5 million in reserve funding, typically set aside for emergencies. It will also look to streamline operations to make up a further £12 million. These changes will not, however, cover the deficit in funding. 

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

– Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

Foster’s primary concern is that the reduction in funding could mean less neighbourhood police officers on patrol. He is enquiring about the public’s willingness to pay an extra £15 a year in council tax to marginally offset the shortfall.   

The Boar interviewed a Warwick graduate living in Coventry and paying West Midlands tax about his perspective on the potential increase. He told The Boar: “I already hate paying council tax as is, and even though it’s a small monthly increase like a quid, it still bothers me. We shouldn’t be punished just because of the terrible decision making of the Police.” 

West Midlands Police was already projected to have 520 fewer officers in 2026 than in 2010. That figure could now rise to 600. 

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

“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.”