'We have plans to keep you safe and secure' - Update: PFCC 2026/27 budgets for Essex Police and ECFRS approved
Detailed plans to keep Essex safe and secure can now be put into action as budget proposals made by Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, were today approved.
The budgets were today approved by the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel, at a meeting held at County Hall in Chelmsford this afternoon.
Speaking about his budgets, Mr Hirst said: “Ensuring people in Essex are safe is our main priority.
“For the second year running, the Government funding settlement for Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is insufficient to cover rising costs for both emergency services.
“To action our detailed and costed plans to keep communities in Essex safe and secure, funding from the Government is not enough and we have no choice but to turn to the outstanding support we receive from Essex taxpayers.
“In our recent PFCC precept survey, held in December 2025, 81% of respondents said they were willing to increase funding to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, with 85% of respondents saying they were willing to increase funding to Essex Police.
“You have told us you wish to support Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. We are humbled and extremely grateful for this strong support by the public of Essex for both emergency services.”
“These budgets will allow us to keep Essex people safe and reduce crime further down to historic lows.”
The panel approved raising the Essex Police Precept by £14.94 a year, or 29p a week, a 5.74% increase for a Band D property, taking the yearly total to £275.31p or £5.28p a week.
The panel also approved raising the Essex County Fire and Rescue Precept by £4.95p a year, or 9.5p a week, a 5.65% increase for a Band D property, taking the yearly total to £92.52p, or £1.77p a week.
Together these precept increases amount to £19.89p each year, or 38p a week for a band D property.
For further details visit: ‘We have plans to keep you safe and secure’ – PFCC 2026/27 budget proposals for Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service - News - Essex PFCC