Policing and Fire & Rescue Service Precept for 2026/27

Updated 06/02/26

Building a Safer, Stronger Essex Together

 Over the past decade, Essex has made enormous progress: crime is falling, anti-social behaviour is at its lowest levels in years, and our emergency services are working more closely together than ever.
Increasing investment in both services is needed given the current context. Inflationary pressures, rising operational costs and the need to meet increasing pay are just some of the factors that have been considered. The careful judgements made will ensure there is a renewed focus on protecting the vulnerable, the strategic shift towards prevention continues and more is done to reduce the impact of fire in the built environment.

This year, the budgets for Essex Police and Essex County Fire
and Rescue Service will protect operational capability and invest to continue to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour and reduce harm to vulnerable people.

Investing in Policing: Protecting Communities and Reducing Crime

Essex Police continues to be one of the leanest and most efficient forces in the country. But with unavoidable cost pressures rising by more than £22m this year, the increase in government funding of £9.2m is not enough to sustain the level of service the public expects.

The police precept for a Band D property will therefore increase by £14.94 a year (29p a week), bringing the total police precept to £275.31.

This investment will ensure that Essex Police can:
• Keep officer numbers high, including delivering 39 additional
Neighbourhood Policing Officers, allowing more officers to be on patrol in our communities, driving down ASB and reducing crime toward historic lows.
• Deliver the Affordable Futures programme, strengthening domestic abuse investigations and protecting vulnerable people, improving the force’s approach to young people and youth offending, improving management of offenders to prevent crime, and running safer, more efficient custody suites.
• Modernise policing through investment in AI, robotic process
automation and enhanced video response, to allow officers to make faster and better decisions, prioritise risk more effectively, and spend more time in communities.
• Invest in a much needed new firearms training facility and a new police station in Dovercourt on a shared site with the Fire & Rescue Service.

Essex Police has already delivered more than £70m in cashable savings and £22m in productivity gains since 2016 and continues to drive further efficiencies every year. The investments planned for 2026/27 will reduce crime, protect victims and increase public confidence.

Investing in Fire & Rescue: Saving Lives and Reducing Harm

Our Fire and Rescue Service is adapting to changing risks, responding to new legislation, and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Rising costs and a significant reduction in government funding mean we need an additional £4.95 a year for fire and rescue— less than 10p a week—bringing the Band D fire precept to £92.52.

This essential investment will enable Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to:
• Deliver its Community Risk Management Plan, the strategy that
ensures resources are placed where risk is highest.
• Recruit 10 new wholetime firefighters this year, with more to follow, improving daytime appliance availability and strengthening resilience.
• Invest in a brand new live fire training facility at Service
Headquarters, a £13m project that will secure high quality firefighter training for decades to come.
• Expand fire protection and inspection work, including enforcing on the remediation of high-rise residential blocks.
• Enhance prevention activity through more home fire safety visits especially for the most vulnerable, and targeted support for at-risk households.
• Continue modernising digital tools and data systems to improve response times and operational planning.
• Further investment to improve professional standards.

Since 2021 the service has saved £18 million through efficiencies,
alongside a further £20 million generated through joint working with Essex Police and other emergency services.

Precept leaflet 2026/27  

Previous leaflets are available to download below.