Tight finances and an increase in demand for policing protests and protecting MPs could lead to a reduction in neighbourhood policing across Rutland and Leicestershire. 

That's according to a new report by the police and crime commissioner's office which will be discussed by the area's police and crime panel on Monday (September 23). 

The Leicestershire and Rutland force is facing a budget deficit of almost £9 million this year and says increasingly strapped finances could ultimately impact on neighbourhood policing levels. 



Leicestershire and Rutland Police are feeling the strain with £9m budget deficit (Photo: Evie Payne)

The report says the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) dedicated to neighbourhood policing has risen from 181 in 2018 to 200 currently and the number of neighbourhood officers has risen from 151 to 175 in the same time period. But it says more demands on policing caused by a steep rise in protests, as well as new demands on officers to protect MPs in response to growing threats made against national politicians are moving neighbourhood officers into other duties.  

It says: "Due to the fiscal challenge and the force requirement to overcome a £5.4m budget deficit in 2023/24 and a £8.6m budget deficit in 2024/25 it may be necessary, in the coming years, to revisit the numbers allocated to neighbourhood policing." 

Chief constable Rob Nixon and commissioner Rupert Matthews met recently with the top cop telling the commissioner that although he had protected the number of neighbourhood officers, an increased demand was leading them to be moved on to other jobs. He has told the commissioner that ongoing financial pressures could lead to the current model being changed. 

Outlined in the report is the sharp rise in protests, notably about international issues. In 2022 the force policed 72 protests, but this rose to 109 last year, almost three quarters of which were about international issues. So far this year until April the force had attended 61 protests with the majority involving the use of neighbourhood officers. A rise in football matches last year also involved 2036 police officers, with an average of 85 officers per match.  

A commitment to policing the nighttime economy and a focus on the safety of women and girls has also increased the demand on police. 

Commissioner Rupert Matthews (Con), who was re-elected to the role in May, has asked the panel – whose role is to scrutinise him – for its thoughts on neighbourhood policing. 

The report concludes: "It is the opinion of the PCC that the chief constable is prioritising neighbourhood policing, but that there is still work to do to ensure that local communities and their representatives know what to expect. As such the PCC will continue to ensure that neighbourhood policing is prioritised across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It will be an integral part of his new Police and Crime Plan."