Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents invited to have their say on police funding

Residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being invited to take part in a public survey launched by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, aimed at gathering views on future investment in policing through council tax contributions.

The survey asks residents to consider what level of council tax they are willing to pay to support local policing, which is currently funded through a combination of central government grants and local council tax. At present, 41% of the police budget comes from council tax, with the remaining 59% from government funding.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Since taking office in 2021, my top priority has been increasing police officer numbers and bringing policing closer to our communities. The force now has the highest number of police officers in over a decade and I have reopened eight police stations, with five more planned.

“I know residents want more visible policing, faster response times, and stronger neighbourhood teams. Delivering this requires ongoing investment in recruitment, training, technology, and infrastructure.

“To keep driving improvements, I need to hear directly from residents. Your views on where funding should go and which crimes matter most to you are vital in helping me deliver a modern, responsive police service that remains rooted in tradition.”

The survey outlines how future investment could support:

• More officers on the streets
• Faster investigations and response times through advanced technology
• Modern police stations and equipment
• Strengthened neighbourhood policing through the Local Bobby Scheme

The survey is open until 11.59pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025, and responses will help inform the policing budget and council tax precept for the next financial year.

Residents can take the survey https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90958462/Precept-2026-27.