Force may cut 21 police posts to balance budget

North Yorkshire Police could have to cut 21 officer posts to help balance the budget, according to a report.

The potential cut is outlined as the "worst‑case option" in papers submitted to the county's Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which meets next week to set the force's share of the 2026-27 council tax bill.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, is proposing a £15 year rise in the police and crime precept for a Band D property — a 4.6% increase on last year.

Skaith said emergency services must have the resources required to keep the public safe, though acknowledged that "when family finances are tight, every pound of public money must be spent wisely".

He added: "In setting the precept, I've been focused on balancing the services people rightly expect with placing the minimum possible burden on households."

The mayor told councillors last month that cuts may be needed to balance the police budget, after the force received a lower than expected settlement from the government.

Since then, the government has announced new neighbourhood policing funding for forces, which will mean North Yorkshire receives an extra £1.6m.

The updated figures show the force will receive around £10m more for 2026-27 than it did in 2025-26 — an increase of 4.6% , according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, the force has also seen its outgoings increase due to a range of factors, including inflation, staff pay rise and the need to make payments into capital and reserve funds.

In total, costs have increased by £12.66m, while capital and reserves contributions have increased by £3.13m, the report said.

So far, savings of £4.7m have been found, which leaves a gap of £1.25m.

The report stated: "Work is ongoing to determine where these savings/reductions will be made and at this stage it is assumed that in the worst case, there would be a reduction of 21 police officers required to balance the 2026-27 budget."

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