GMP set to receive disproportionate amount of 2021/22 funding package

Rochdale Police Station

Despite being the second largest police force in England, Greater Manchester Police has been allocated a disproportionate amount of funding for 2021/22 from the government.

GMP’s allocation is just a fraction of that awarded to the Metropolitan Police in London, the largest force.

Whilst the Met will receive over £3 billion to fight crime and build safer streets, GMP will receive just £677.5 million for the same work – 22% of that awarded to London police.

Nationally, the 2021/22 £15.8 billion funding package includes over £400 million to recruit 20,000 extra officers by 2023.

However, since 2010, GMP has seen some of the biggest cuts of any police force, losing £250 million in central government funding, plus 2,000 police officers and 1,000 police staff.

This is against a backdrop of increasing crime and complex demand such as cybercrime, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Alongside getting more officers out on the street, the government says the funding settlement will enable policing to tackle serious violence and increase the number of specialist officers tackling terrorism and serious organised crime, including child sexual abuse and drug trafficking.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Officers across the North West have been working hard all year to keep their communities safe – I thank them for their courage and continued efforts in difficult circumstances.

“This funding package will help forces in the North West to deliver more officers, less crime and ultimately safer streets.”

Funding for Counter-Terrorism policing will total up to £914 million, including money for armed policing and more officers. In addition, Counter-Terrorism policing will receive £32 million to establish a new Counter-Terrorism Operations Centre to keep the country safe from a range of threats.

The publication of the provisional funding settlement opens a period of consultation. The final police funding settlement will be debated in Parliament ahead of the new financial year.

GMP did not respond to an invitation to comment.