Policing cost for taxpayers is set to rise again

The amount people pay for policing in South Wales could increase by almost 7%.

- ANTHONY LEWIS

The South Wales Police precept looks set to rise by nearly 7% next year.

(Matthew Horwood)

Precept proposals for South Wales Police for the 2026/2027 financial year include a potential 6.99% hike which would see residents pay £26.47 a year or £2.21 a month more on a Band D property as part of their council tax bill.

The force covers Swansea and Neath Port Talbot as well as Cardiff, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Vale of Glamorgan and, if approved, will have a budget of £442.21m.

Initially, a £27 (7.13%) increase in the precept was proposed to help balance the 2026/27 budget but a report to the South Wales Police and Crime Panel said that after careful consideration the police and crime commissioner had decided to propose the 6.99% (£26.47) rise.