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Police Strained by Rising Workloads, Lagging Funding

11/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

National Audit Office says police workloads are rising and investment is lagging.
Four in five police forces use savings to balance budgets, and reserves fell £276 million last year.
Most forces now have less government funding than in 2015 due to an outdated model.
The government plans a 1.7% annual funding rise, likely absorbed by pay and inflation.
Cuts to technology funding hinder productivity, despite modernization needed for rising crime.

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Story summary

National Audit Office says police workloads are rising and investment is lagging.
Four in five police forces use savings to balance budgets, and reserves fell £276 million last year.
Most forces now have less government funding than in 2015 due to an outdated model.
The government plans a 1.7% annual funding rise, likely absorbed by pay and inflation.
Cuts to technology funding hinder productivity, despite modernization needed for rising crime.