FEARS have been raised over the future financial position of Thames Valley Police in the wake of this year’s budget.

Earlier this month, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, approved this year’s police budget of £405m.

It included a rise in the police portion of council tax by £12 a year for the average (Band D) household, after commissioners were given increased flexibility in this area.

Faced with a ‘real terms cut’ of the main police grant, Mr Stansfeld said the rise was needed to protect frontline officers.

But with anticipated inflation and uncertainty over the future of the newly-awarded flexibility, concerns have been raised about the difficulties facing the force.

Rick Muir, from Oxford, is the director of the Police Foundation, an independent policing think tank.

He said if the force does not see a further substantial increase in funds it will impact upon the quality of the service.

He said: “The precept flexibility is welcome but may not be sustained, particularly if the Government perceived there to be a backlash to council tax increases.

“Ultimately, faced with rising and more complex demand – including higher recorded crime – and given that most of the easy savings have already been made, policing will either need more money or we will see a deterioration in the service provided to the public.

“That will manifest itself in less neighbourhood policing and longer response times.”

The rise in the police portion of council tax was approved for 2018/19 and 2019/20 but it is unclear whether the flexibility will continue in 2020/21.

Oxford city councillor Tom Hayes said: “The police have no way of knowing whether they’ll get money through the precept in 2021 or whether they’ll get a Government grant. They need to be valued by Government and given a decent level of funding."