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Dear Resident,
Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston is asking the public for their views as he prepares a new budget to deliver policing across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The Commissioner has launched an online survey asking residents how much they would be prepared to pay towards policing in 2026-2027.
Policing funding comes from two sources – just over half from central government and the remainder from the policing part of council tax (known as the precept).
“As your elected Police and Crime Commissioner, it is my responsibility to set the budget for policing our county over the coming year”, explains Darryl.
“The money we receive from government is based on an historically inadequate funding formula which does not meet growing demand. Since the formula was last updated to reflect our growing population, the number of people in our region has increased by a further 16% and is set to grow much faster than the national average, resulting in Cambridgeshire Constabulary remaining the fourth lowest funded force in the country.
For the financial year, 2026-2027, government expects Police and Crime Commissioners to increase the precept element of council tax by £15 (based on a Band D property).
“I continue to campaign for fairer funding,” says Darryl, “however while the current formula remains in place, taxpayers living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough end up contributing almost half of our total police budget.
“Without increasing the police element of council tax, we will not be able to maintain current record officer numbers and deliver the service the public expects.
“I am therefore proposing an increase of 5% for taxpayers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. This means an increase of £14.94 per year (29 pence per week) for those in Band D properties.
“It is important the Chief Constable has the resources he needs to be able to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour while continuing to deliver an effective and efficient service, taking into account the changing nature of policing and increasing demand.”
Please do take a moment to tell the Commissioner your views - your responses will help inform his final decision on how much he should raise the policing part of council tax.
The survey is available online and will be open until midnight on Sunday 11th January 2026.
If you need help to share your views or would prefer to give your views by telephone, please call 0300 333 3456 or email cambs-pcc@cambs.police.uk.
Kind Regards, | 
