Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Inconsistencies and problems persist in the provision and handling of police mutual aid.
Conclusion
While we heard of several instances of mutual aid being quickly and effectively provided, there were also some problems in its provision, and inconsistencies in the way mutual aid requests were handled. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35) 34
Government Response Summary
The government details funding for the neighbourhood policing programme, committing £376.8 million to maintain officer numbers in 2025-26 and increase the neighbourhood policing workforce, with future decisions to be set out in the upcoming Spending Review. This response does not address the issues raised concerning inconsistencies in mutual aid provision.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
For the purposes of funding and conditions for the neighbourhood policing programme, the local base for each force is set as at March 2025. We have been working closely with policing to develop the neighbourhood policing programme. Our approach to delivery in 2025/26, which is year 1 of a multiple year programme across parliament, is designed to deliver an initial increase to the neighbourhood policing workforce in a manner that is flexible and can be adapted to the local context and varied crime demands. Whilst the precise workforce mix proposed is a local decision, we expect forces to approach delivery in a way that is locally suitable and effectively contributes to the manifesto commitment of delivering a 13,000 increase by the end of this parliament. An assessment of progress and learnings from year 1 of delivery will be used to inform delivery models for future phases of the programme. With regard to preserving the total number of officers across all policing functions, the Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to tackle crime effectively. Visible policing is essential to restoring public confidence in the police. As a result, the Government’s expectation is that officer numbers must be protected in 2025–26. For 2025–26, £376.8 million will be available to forces to maintain officer numbers. This funding will be distributed as follows: • £270.1 million will be ringfenced funding, which PCCs will be able to access, as in previous years, by demonstrating that they have maintained their officer numbers. • £106.7 million will be paid to forces who have received additional recruitment allocations in 2024–25 and 2025–26. This funding will be provided as an additional recruitment top up grant. It will be unconditional, and the funding distributed according to how much additional recruitment forces have carried out. Decisions in officer maintenance and funding for future years beyond 2025–26 will be set out in the upcoming Spending Review. It is for Chief Constables and directly elected PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions, to make decisions, including how best to allocate all the resources at their disposal. 5. The political response