Wiltshire Police budget and police precept – 2026/27

Download the full accessible analysis report:
OPCC Wiltshire and Swindon Precept Analysis Report 2026.pdf

Message from Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson.

Each year Use Your Voice precept and budget survey invites residents to share their views on the future of policing in Wiltshire and how our services should be funded.  

Residents’ feedback is essential in helping Wiltshire Police sustain the progress already made, understand where savings could be made while still shaping how we continue to transform our services to meet the needs of our communities.  

Recent consultations show strong and growing public interest in how policing is financed, particularly at a time when demands on services continue to rise. 

Wiltshire Police has continued its improvement journey with progress in key areas such as training, visibility, response times and justice outcomes.  

These improvements are strengthening community confidence and contributing to major milestones, including the Force being lifted from the national “Engage” status. We are expecting the publication of the next HMICRFS inspection in Spring. 

To sustain this upward trajectory, we must ensure Wiltshire Police’s funding reflects both current pressures and the changing demands of modern policing. 

The national funding formula leaves us among the lowest-funded forces per head of population, placing additional strain on resources. Wiltshire receives £30 per head of funding lower than the national average.  

Rising costs, from pay awards and employer National Insurance contributions to inflation across fuel, estates, utilities and essential equipment, means Wiltshire Police and my office must continue to review how we operate and where we can save without compromising public safety. 

The Force must deliver £4.6M in savings in 2026/27. Achieving this will require more than efficiencies alone. It demands continued and thoughtful transformation of Wiltshire Police’s systems, structures and ways of working.  

Wiltshire Police has said it has identified the efficiencies for 2026/27 via workforce redesign across Local Policing, Specialist Operations and Crime Investigations, the removal of frozen posts – subject to final scrutiny and consultation, technology and equipment efficiencies which align to our longer-term, technology strategy and further rationalisation of our estate footprint.

Mr Wilkinson has guaranteed there will not be a reduction in police officer numbers.

By embracing innovation and redesigning how we deliver key services, we can ensure resources are used effectively while protecting frontline capabilities. 

To help sustain current service levels and protect recent improvements, I am proposing a precept increase of just over 5%, equivalent to £15 per year for a Band D household or £1.25 a month extra. This is the maximum allowed without triggering a local referendum and is consistent with approaches taken in other policing areas.  

This increase would support neighbourhood policing, protect operational capacity and allow continued investment in initiatives that are delivering visible community benefits. 

We know from previous Use Your Voice surveys that residents consistently value visible policing, faster response times and strong protection for vulnerable people. Many have also indicated a willingness to support policing financially when the benefits are clear.  

Your participation in this year’s Use Your Voice survey will help us understand whether the proposed increase feels fair and proportionate - particularly in light of the savings required and the transformation needed to ensure Wiltshire Police remains resilient in the years ahead.  

A smaller increase, or no increase at all, simply is not viable as greater savings would need to be made. 

A greater increase is not viable as it would require me to conduct a local referendum – which in itself is costly and I will not put that additional pressure and strain on the financial landscape. 

Thank you for taking the time to use your voice. Your views directly support our ability to save wisely, sustain what matters most, and transform services to deliver a safer, more confident Wiltshire for all. 

Survey closed 5 February 2026

Meet the PCC team in your community 

The PCC and his engagement team will be out across Wiltshire and Swindon throughout January to hear directly from residents about policing priorities, the proposed precept and financial challenges. 

Engagement events and visits include: 

• Cricklade Leisure Centre: Monday 12 January, 4.30pm - 5.30pm
• Pewsey Co-Op: Tuesday 13 January, 10am - 1pm
• Swindon Town Football Club: Saturday 17 January 2pm - 4pm 
• John Moulton Hall Community Centre, Swindon: Tuesday 20 January, 1pm - 2.30pm
• Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Salisbury: Thursday 22 January, 10am - 1pm
• Moredon Community Centre, Swindon: Tuesday 27 January, 12pm - 2pm

What does a Precept increase look like for all?