COUNCIL taxpayers in Barnsley are facing higher costs than ever to fund local policing, the latest figures have revealed.
Home Office figures show council taxpayers will have to shell out £94m to fund South Yorkshire Police in 2024/25 - a real-terms rise of six per cent from the £89m paid the year before.
This is equivalent to 26 per cent of the whole funding for policing in South Yorkshire and the highest figure since local records began in 2015/16.
In total, South Yorkshire Police will receive £355m - up from £329m in 2023.24.
The government will supply the additional £262m, which marks a five per cent increase but is still lower than the rise faced by local taxpayers.
The Police Federation of England and Wales said it was disappointing to see police and crime commissioners ‘choose to take more money from local residents’ when ‘the cost of living is still biting hard on many’.
Steve Hartshorn, the federation’s chair, said: “It is disappointing to see PCCs yet again having to choose to take more money from local residents who have already paid for policing in taxes at a time when the cost of living is still biting hard on many, especially the recent energy cost increases.
“Those areas that can least afford to pay extra will suffer unless funds are apportioned according to the needs of the public.
“Policing should not be a postcode lottery where the most in need are often the least supported.”
In March, the former Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire Dr Alan Billings set the policing precept for Barnsley, which saw a 5.46 per cent increase for council tax payers in the town - which was lower than the current rate of inflation.
For those people living in Band D properties this was an increase of 25 pence per week (£13 per year).
But most households in South Yorkshire are in Bands A (the increase will be equivalent to 17 pence per week or £8.84 per year) and B (19 pence per week or £9.88 per year).
The government sets a cap on the amount of money that police and crime commissioners are allowed to raise through the precept.
This year that was set at £13 per year, based on a Band D property.
Following the South Yorkshire Mayor elections in May, the police and crime commissioner powers were transferred to Oliver Coppard who has now taken on the role.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Hard-working Brits will expect this extra cash to deliver safer streets and more criminals behind bars.
“As council tax soars but bobbies fail to investigate burglaries, households are not getting the service they deserve.
“Police forces must make sure taxpayers’ money is spent efficiently and focused on protecting the public.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: "It is this government's mission to take back our streets and have committed to delivering 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and community support officers, tackle antisocial behaviour and introduce tougher powers to tackle repeat offending.
"Funding beyond 24/25 will be confirmed in the upcoming multi-year spending review.
“However, this government remains committed to ensuring that the police have the resources they need to tackle crime effectively."
