Surrey Police face £5m drop in funding due to Coronavirus

Surrey Police could miss out on £5 million funding because councils are struggling to collect Council Tax from people hit financially by coronavirus.

The Police and Crime Panel was told yesterday (September 15) it could mean the force starts to see a real impact on services from the next financial year.

Surrey Police finances had been getting back on their feet as this year's government grant, announced at the start of the year, was the biggest increase since 2010.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: "I, like many others, thought that this settlement marked a change in funding for the police after years of austerity – however how things have changed in those few months since January.

"it is highly likely after only one year of stability the force may again have to make quite substantial savings if it is to balance its budget.

"It is no understatement to say that these savings will be challenging to deliver, given the efficiencies already achieved, without impacting services."

This is despite the government allowing the losses to be spread over three years, he said.

At the same time the force has had to spend £2.3 million on PPE and has not yet had a penny back from the government.

The government agreed to reimburse the cost of PPE but recently informed the force this would only be for 'medical grade' equipment.

The Police and Crime Panel will write to the Government to ask for support in meeting the unexpected costs of the pandemic.

Liberal Democrat Woking borough councillor Will Forster said: "If we've got a £5 million potential black hole and the government is not stepping up to the plate to support us, that is less money for police officers which the Government and Surrey MPs say they want."

Mr Munro said: "All local authorities are in the same boat. Any shortfall in the collection of tax should be handed back via central taxation."

Police have also had to pay staff overtime to assist with assuring public compliance during lockdown – a burden that can only worsen with the new rule of six.

The force has also lost income of £0.5 million it would have brought in from policing events such as the Epsom Derby and training other forces' dogs.

Surrey taxpayers pay among the highest proportion of police costs from Council Tax in the country – £270 for the average band D in 2020/21, an increase of £10 on last year.