Wealden MP Nus Ghani has welcomed news that Sussex Police could receive additional funding of over £22 million in the latest funding deal for 2018/19.
The provisional funding settlement includes an increase in funding from central Government, allowing more money to be spent locally and enhancing the response to serious and organised crime.
This means that Police and Crime Commissioners across the country will receive £7.8 billion in general government grants, an increase of more than £160 million than the year before, and an additional £510 million generated through a rise in the council tax referendum threshold.
Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, also secured an additional £900,000 from the Home Office Early Intervention Youth Fund, which will allow Sussex Police to establish the Sussex Early Intervention Youth Programme to engage positively with under 18s at risk of committing serious violence.
After meeting with Sussex Police in November, Nus stressed the need for further funding to the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, and pressed Katy Bourne to increase the funding to the Wealden Community Safety Partnership by 36 per cent to stress the importance of supporting community initiatives.
Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, said: “It’s great news that the Government is providing up to an additional £22 million for Sussex Police in the new funding settlement for next year, as well as the extra funding from the Early Intervention Youth Fund.
“My constituents regularly contact me about policing across Wealden, and I am delighted that this will mean Sussex Police can continue to provide a tangible, visible presence in Hailsham, Crowborough, Uckfield and the surrounding villages.
“I recently ran a survey including questions about online scams, and what is clear is that crime in 2018 is ever-changing. The additional funding will also help Sussex Police tackle online crime, including scams, which all too often hit our most vulnerable residents the hardest.”
Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime and Commissioner, said: “The increases in the core grant and this funding flexibility for PCCs is a result of the intense lobbying I have carried out with my PCC and Chief Constable colleagues to secure the biggest annual increase for police forces since 2010.
“I want people in our county to feel safe and see more officers and this unprecedented funding news will help us recruit substantial numbers of PCSOs and police officers as well as improving public contact including 101.
“Feedback from the public shows a clear appetite for more visible policing and a willingness to pay more if they can see where their money is going, and the Chief Constable and I are committed to ensuring that Sussex residents will see and feel the benefit of any extra funding raised locally”.