Message from Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime
Dear resident, this is proving to be another challenging year for setting the budgets for our local Police and Fire & Rescue services. Once again government grant funding does not fully cover the increased cost of inflation, pay rises, or national policy decisions. The government talks publicly about increased ‘spending power’ for our emergency services but unfortunately this relies on above inflation increases in local council tax.
In recent years, you have supported small council tax increases. These increases amount to only a few pounds extra a year, but I remain very aware that everyday life is becoming more expensive.
I would like to understand whether you would support a small increase – just a few pounds above inflation – to allow these investments in your community safety to continue.
My preference would be not to raise council tax at all. However, this would lead to real cuts in your services and a reduction in their capability to keep you safe, and I do not believe that is what any of us want. You have my assurance that every penny raised will be focused on strengthening both services so they are fit for the future. I expect this approach, coupled with robust savings will mean we are all better off and safer. It will allow us to continue investing in police officers and staff, to maintain our fire-fighter numbers, and ensure they have the equipment and skills required to keep themselves – and you – safe.
All comments submitted as part of this consultation will be carefully considered before I set the budget in the New Year. Please do let me know your views on your local Police and Fire & Rescue services.
Here is a snapshot of what your council tax is already helping to deliver:
In recent years, you have supported small council tax increases. These increases amount to only a few pounds extra a year, but I remain very aware that everyday life is becoming more expensive.
I would like to understand whether you would support a small increase – just a few pounds above inflation – to allow these investments in your community safety to continue.
My preference would be not to raise council tax at all. However, this would lead to real cuts in your services and a reduction in their capability to keep you safe, and I do not believe that is what any of us want. You have my assurance that every penny raised will be focused on strengthening both services so they are fit for the future. I expect this approach, coupled with robust savings will mean we are all better off and safer. It will allow us to continue investing in police officers and staff, to maintain our fire-fighter numbers, and ensure they have the equipment and skills required to keep themselves – and you – safe.
All comments submitted as part of this consultation will be carefully considered before I set the budget in the New Year. Please do let me know your views on your local Police and Fire & Rescue services.
Here is a snapshot of what your council tax is already helping to deliver:
Staffordshire Police
- 13% reduction in neighbourhood crime (burglary, robbery, theft from a person and theft of and from a vehicle) from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, compared to the same period last year. Home burglaries dropped by 24% in the same period
- Extra pro-active patrols over the summer, targeting 19 different hotspot locations as part of a strategy to reduce serious violence, knife crime and anti-social behaviour. The additional patrols saw at least 90 people arrested and a 26% reduction in knife crime in targeted areas
- A dedicated victims’ portal, giving regular updates on the progress of their investigation, has contributed to an 11% increase in victims’ positive opinion after contact with Staffordshire Police
- 100 more detectives in Staffordshire Police’s Public Protection Unit which focuses on protecting vulnerable children and adults
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service
- Attended 5,409 incidents between April and September 2025 (an increase of 21.93% on the same period last year) as a result of summer’s hot, dry weather and a significant rise in smaller ‘secondary’ fires
- 7,665 Safe and Well Visits were completed between April and September 2025, helping to ensure vulnerable residents remain safe at home
- Continued work with the NHS. Since the falls response service went live in December 2022, there have been 2,802 mobilisations, responding to vulnerable people falling in their homes. A scheme helping vulnerable discharged patients return safely home from hospital supported 3,433 people between its launch in December 2023 and September 2025