Greater Manchester to consult on increase to Police Precept

Greater Manchester has launched a consultation on a proposed increase to the Police Precept that will take affect from April 2025.

The precept is paid alongside Council Tax by city-region residents to fund Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Three-quarters of police funding comes from a central government grant and a quarter from what can be raised locally from the police precept. Greater Manchester proposes an increase of £14 a year for a band D property (£1.17 a month).

The city-region argues that increased funding will enable GMP to build on improvements already delivered over the last few years, and meet commitments made in the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Plan, ‘Standing Together’, which include faster non-emergency response times, introduction of a Live Chat service to report incidents on public transport, and investment in preventative services.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“We set out a number of commitments last year on what Greater Manchester Police would deliver with the precept, and they delivered on every one of them. GMP are now answering 999 calls in record time, attending incidents sooner and investing in neighbourhood policing and crime prevention teams. As a result, we’ve seen crime reduce across the board, with the most marked improvement in neighbourhood crime which has reduced by 17 percent in the past year.

“I know that times are tough for our residents but investment through the precept is vital to maintain this improvement. Your money really does make a difference and this year you can expect to see an even better police service, a safer Bee Network and the launch of a new TravelSafe Live Chat messaging service to report crimes and increase safety.”

Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green, said:

“With the help of funds raised through the precept last year, Greater Manchester Police?remain one of the most improved police forces in the country. In 2024,?the force was recognised as a world leader in tackling stubborn crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), winning the international Goldstein Award for their problem-solving Operation Vulcan in Cheetham Hill.?

“I’m proud of the improvements Greater Manchester Police has made, but we recognise that more needs to be done to achieve what people told us they want to see in the new Greater Manchester Police and Crime Plan.”

The public can respond to the police precept consultation ?via the GM Consult website?by?17 January 2025.