Statement following the annual government funding settlement

"Today's announcement is extremely welcome and I am delighted the Government are fulfilling their promise to policing. I am aware that the public of Wiltshire and Swindon want to see more police and this additional funding will drive the recruitment of new officers, as well as allowing us to invest in other critical areas to tackle crime and emerging threats.

"The flexibility to increase the policing precept, alongside today's announcement from central government, means we can significantly invest in this vital public service.

"The small increase of £10 per year, for an average household, will mean more money to enhancing community policing in our neighbourhood areas. This is in addition to the extra 49 police officers we will deliver in Wiltshire as part of the government's Uplift Programme to recruit 20,000 new police by March 2023.

"This is a very positive step but I will continue to work with government to reform the unfair police funding formula, which leaves our service underfunded, so we can deliver a modern police service fit to serve the communities of Wiltshire and Swindon."