Council Tax 2025/26

Commissioner Lisa Townsend asks residents what they’d be prepared to pay towards policing in Surrey each year through a public survey.

The Commissioner’s council tax consultation launched in January 2025 after the Government gave Police and Crime Commissioners the flexibility to increase the policing part of council tax for 2025/26 by £14 a year based on an average Band D property – a little over £1.16 a month.

The Commissioner presented her proposal for the Surrey Police budget at a meeting of the county’s Police and Crime Panel in February.

Supporting the Chief Constable

In the past 12 months, Surrey Police has more than doubled its charge rate with an additional 3,500 offences being prosecuted.

It has also made over 2,500 more arrests and made significant improvements in tackling offences important to residents, such as burglary, shoplifting, child abuse and rape.

Burglary and assault with injury charges have both increased by 90 per cent, while shoplifting charges have increased four-fold,with 876 more offences charged across the county.

Charge rates for offences related to violence against women and girls (VAWG), rape and child abuse have doubled, and the Force now among the fastest improving nationally for serious sexual offences and stalking and harassment.

There have been 20 per cent more arrests year-on-year​, with an average of 50 more per week, while the number of outstanding suspects has reduced by a third.

The Commissioner says this has made Surrey Police one of the fastest improving forces in the country, and she will continue to support the Chief Constable Tim De Meyer’s Plan for the Force.

Chief’s plan

The Plan includes maintaining a visible police presence in our communities, increasing the number of offenders charged and cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

Every pound of precept amounts to an extra half-a-million pounds in the policing budget.

The Commissioner said: “In order to maintain the success of the last year, I need to make sure our police teams have the right resources in the face of some difficult financial challenges.

“The reality is that the government settlement this year will not cover the increased costs we continue to face in Surrey.

“The Force is making every effort to find efficiencies across the board to ensure we provide the very best value for money for our residents.

“But they still must find in the region of £25m in savings over the next four years. 

“That is why I must balance the burden on the public with ensuring I give the Chief Constable the tools to keep the Forces’ head above water and continue to take the fight to criminals in our county.”

Learn more

• Read our Council tax FAQ
• Learn more about how your council tax funds Surrey Police
• Read the Commissioner’s open letter to the public
• Read the press release from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
• Find out how much you’ll pay towards policing in council tax