The West Midlands Police force is confronting a potential financial shortfall of around £40 million, a move described as an 'unfair postcode lottery' that could lead to fewer officers on the streets.
Provisional Settlement Sparks 'Deep Concern'
Newly published government figures reveal a provisional police funding settlement for 2026/2027 that may leave West Midlands Police up to £41.1 million worse off. The region's Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, has expressed "deep concern" at the announcement, stating the force is already "seriously short-changed" compared to most others in the country.
Commissioner Foster highlighted a stark contrast in national resourcing. While many forces across England and Wales now have as many officers as they did in 2010, the West Midlands is projected to have at least 520 fewer officers by April 2026 than it did fifteen years prior.
Impact on Policing and Public Safety
If implemented, the funding settlement could force serious reductions in police officers and staff. Foster warned this would inevitably affect frontline services, including neighbourhood policing teams crucial for local crime prevention.
"This settlement will make it more difficult to deliver on the government’s national missions, to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls," Foster stated. He emphasised the existing annual shortfall of £43 million due to the national funding formula, arguing the new cuts compound an already critical situation.
To gauge public opinion on a potential solution, Foster has launched a public engagement on whether residents would support a rise in local council tax to invest in policing. However, even with that potential increase, the force would still face cuts of £29.5 million in 2026/27.
A Call for Fair Funding
Simon Foster insists it is not too late for the government to reconsider, as the final funding settlement will not be confirmed until January 30, 2026. He is calling for an end to the "postcode lottery" in police funding and for the government to restore the 520 lost officers to the region.
"We must end this postcode lottery in police funding," Foster said. "I am calling on government not to impose these cuts on policing in the West Midlands and instead return our 520 police officers and deliver fair funding for our region."
The Commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to working with both the police force and the government to prevent and tackle crime, rebuild community policing, and keep the communities of the West Midlands safe, despite the challenging financial outlook.
