Public Invited to Attend 2026/27 Merseyside Police Budget Meeting

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside is inviting residents to attend a public meeting where the force’s budget for 2026/27 will be formally approved.

Commissioner Emily Spurrell will be joined by Chief Constable Rob Carden on Friday, 20 February, to agree the budget for Merseyside Police. 

The meeting will take place from 10.00 am to 11.30 am at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mather Avenue, Liverpool, L18 9TG.

Each year, the proposed budget is scrutinised by the Police and Crime Panel. 

At a recent meeting, Panel members unanimously endorsed the Commissioner’s plans to protect local policing services in the year ahead.

Police Precept Increase and Funding Pressures Explained

In December 2025, the Government confirmed that Police and Crime Commissioners would again be required to increase the police precept, the element of council tax that funds policing.

For a Band A household, which represents most homes in Merseyside, the rise equates to 19p per week or £10 per year. 

This will generate an additional £6.1m for local policing. 

However, even with the extra income from the precept and increased Government funding, it does not fully cover pay awards and inflationary pressures for 2026/27.

As a result, the Chief Constable must identify £8.9m in savings to ensure the budget is balanced.

Despite financial challenges, the force continues to report strong results. 

Between April and December 2025, homicides fell by more than 38% compared to the previous year. 

Antisocial behaviour reduced by more than 10%, while vehicle crime dropped by more than 61%.

Crime Reductions and Commitment to Visible Policing

Emily Spurrell said: 

“My priority is ensuring Merseyside Police has the resources it needs to keep our communities safe and is in the strongest possible position for the year ahead.

“This year the Home Office increased the amount of funding available to us and I’m grateful to the public for supporting the proposal to increase the precept, and to the Police and Crime Panel for unanimously endorsing these plans.

“This year’s budget is focused on maintaining and strengthening the visible policing presence that people across Merseyside tell us they value. 

“The Chief Constable has made that a clear priority, and these proposals support him in delivering on it.

“We’ve seen some really encouraging reductions in crime in the past year, in particular fewer people losing their lives to murder or manslaughter. 

“This budget is designed to help continue that progress.

“I will do everything I can to protect local policing and keep our communities safe and that means continuing to lobby the Government for fair, sustainable funding for our region. In the meantime, anyone interested in how police funding works is welcome to attend this public meeting.”