Gloucestershire MPs have issued a rare cross-party appeal for urgent government funding to address a projected £12.3 million shortfall in the county’s policing budget.
At a meeting in the Home Office this week, Tewkesbury’s newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Cameron Thomas led a delegation of Gloucestershire’s MPs to press the case directly with Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson.
The group warned that without immediate financial support, Gloucestershire Constabulary could struggle to maintain effective frontline services, a risk that MPs say puts public safety at stake.
Cross-party pressure
Matt Bishop, the Conservative MP for Forest of Dean and a former police officer, said the joint call sent a powerful signal to ministers.
“This show of cross-party unity is a strong reminder that community safety must come first,” he said.
Thomas highlighted the disproportionate burden on smaller forces forced to fund essential IT upgrades and infrastructure improvements from local budgets.
“Upgrades to IT systems, vital for police to adapt to the changing nature of crime, have an outsized impact on smaller forces,” he told the minister.
Funding reform and modernisation
The Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, Dr Roz Savage, echoed calls for reform, urging the government to adopt a centralised procurement system to help smaller forces cope with escalating costs.
Alex McIntyre, Labour MP for Gloucester, underlined the importance of modernising police tools and technology.
“As Chief Constable Roddy Blyth has made clear, it’s essential that Gloucestershire Constabulary can access the most up-to-date technology. That will enable officers to do the best job possible for the people in our county,” he said.
‘Loud and clear’
Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson, who also attended the meeting, welcomed the unified political backing.
“I’ve been calling for years for a reform of police funding to make sure Gloucestershire Constabulary has the tools they need to do the job,” said Mr Nelson. “I’m very grateful for this unanimous cross-party support. It sends a clear message, and I look forward to working with MPs and the Home Office to secure this much-needed investment.”
Responding to the delegation, Minister Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged the urgency of the request and said the government had received the message “loud and clear”.
