Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) police budget for 2026/27 has been approved, securing 30 Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) roles that were facing redundancy. Following a public consultation, in which 73% of residents backed some level of increase, the Police and Crime Panel has given the green light to the £14.39 annual precept rise for Band B households.

In response to community concerns, Dan Price took the unusual step of asking the Government to remove the cap on the policing precept. Only a handful of PCCs did so nationally. Although the Home Office agreed to an above-cap increase, it fell short of fully protecting all 60 roles at risk.

The approved budget means 30 PCSO posts will be retained, making a total of 57 PCSOs working across Cheshire’s neighbourhoods. Where roles have been lost, they will be replaced with warranted officers with the powers needed to arrest those causing issues on our streets.

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“I’ve spent weeks working hard to deliver what people across Cheshire told me they want most – more neighbourhood police in our communities. This budget means that 30 PCSO roles that were about to be lost have now been saved.

“It’s not the full increase I hoped for, but it means residents will still see familiar PCSOs out and about, building trust, solving problems and staying close to the issues that matter locally. And where PCSO posts have gone, they’ll be replaced by officers with the powers to tackle things like nuisance e-bikes, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

“This budget also lets us press ahead with smart automation that will save money in future years to free up officers and staff who can focus on what really counts – keeping people safe.

“Thank you to everyone who shared their views online or in person. Your voices shaped this budget and they’ll keep shaping the way policing works across Cheshire.”

More than 6,000 people took part in the consultation – Cheshire’s most responses to date. Alongside the online survey, the Commissioner travelled across the county to meet residents face-to-face on public transport, marking a first for a PCC.

Participants were asked to choose between three options:

· Cut back – No rise; major service reductions including the loss of all 87 PCSOs.

· Manage – A 97p per month rise (Band B); investment in automation and drones but reduction of 50 PCSOs.

· Do more – A £2.14 per month rise (Band B); save all PCSOs, add 21 neighbourhood officers and enhance drones, prevention work, and call answering times.

73% supported a rise through their council tax bill, with 57% choosing ‘Do more’ and 16% selecting the ‘Manage’ option, signalling a clear desire for stronger neighbourhood policing and improved service levels.