North Yorkshire Police may have to reduce the force by 21 officers to help balance the budget, it has emerged.
The reduction is the worst-case scenario outlined in a report for the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which will meet next week to agree the force’s share of the council tax bill for 2026/27.
In the report, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire proposes to increase the police and crime precept for a Band D property by £15 per year — up 4.67 per cent on last year.
Mr Skaith said it was vital the emergency services had the resources they needed to keep the public safe.
But he added:
“I’m also mindful that when family finances are tight, every pound of public money must be spent wisely.
“Our priority is keeping people in York and North Yorkshire safe. The Chief Constable’s latest assurance letter shows that crime is coming down in key areas with over 1,000 fewer people being victims in the past year.
“In setting the precept, I’ve been focused on balancing the services people rightly expect with placing the minimum possible burden on households.”
The Mayor told councillors last month that cuts may be needed to balance the police budget after the force received a lower than expected settlement from the government.
Since then, the government has announced new neighbourhood policing funding for forces, which will mean North Yorkshire receives an extra £1.6m.
The updated figures show the force will receive around £10m more for 2026/27 than it did in 2025/26 — an increase of 4.6 per cent.
However, the force has also seen its outgoings increase due to a range of factors, including inflation, a staff pay rise and the need to make payments into capital and reserve funds.
In total, costs have increased by £12.66m, while capital and reserves contributions have increased by £3.13m.
So far, savings of £4.7m have been found, which leaves a gap of £1.25m.
The report adds: “Work is ongoing to determine where these savings/reductions will be made and at this stage it is assumed that in the worst case, there would be a reduction of 21 police officers required to balance the 2026/27 budget.”
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, said she had pressed the Home Office to ensure national reforms and the government’s policing efficiency programme work for rural and mixed communities like York and North Yorkshire.
She added:
“The national funding settlement for policing is challenging, and that makes strong local accountability more important than ever.
“In line with his mayoral principles, David Skaith, the Mayor and I are focused on ensuring we set a precept that protects our vital public services, prioritises the issues that matter to the public and have the minimum possible burden on council taxpayers.
“In my role, I will continue to hold the police locally to account for delivery of value for public money.”
The North Yorkshire Police budget will bediscussed by the Police, Fire and Crime Panel at a meeting next Thursday.
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