Extra patrols 'unaffordable' despite cash promise

Lincolnshire Police cannot afford to put on extra patrols during the summer despite government promises, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

Last month the Home Office announced funding for increased police presence in town centres and high streets to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

But Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones has said it is "simply untrue" that there will be additional efforts in Lincolnshire as the force is "struggling to even maintain current levels of frontline services".

However, a Home Office spokesperson said: "Lincolnshire Police will receive £174.5m in funding in 2025-26, a 6.2% increase on their funding for 2024-25."

The Home Office had said 500 town centres across the country would see more officers on patrol as part of its Safer Streets summer campaign.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, 10 areas in Lincolnshire will have a more visible police presence during busy times and each community would be able to easily contact officers.

The scheme would run in Lincoln, Boston, Louth, Stamford, Spalding, Gainsborough, Grantham, and Sleaford, as well as on Lumley Road in Skegness and High Street in Mablethorpe.

But Jones said the campaign paints "an unrealistic picture of the situation in Lincolnshire".

"I have repeatedly made it clear that with the current level of funding, which penalises Lincolnshire with the lowest funding per head in the country, the force is struggling to even maintain current levels of frontline services," he said.

"The idea that this summer will see named contactable officers in every community, increased peak time patrols in town centres and anti-social behaviour leads in our force – as promised by the government – is simply untrue."

Jones said the force would not be able to meet the government's commitments "until the unfair funding formula has been addressed".

He added it was "ridiculous" to think the force could offer extra neighbourhood policing while facing real-term cuts.

Last month, Chief Constable Paul Gibson warned 400 staff and officer jobs could be cut if the force cannot secure extra funding by October.

The news came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 2.3% real terms yearly funding increase for policing in England and Wales.

But Mr Gibson said it was not enough for the county and would leave the force facing a deficit of almost £70m.

According to LDRS, without emergency help, consultation would start on reducing its force by 200 officers, along with another 200 staff including PCSOs.

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