South Yorkshire Mayor asks for public views on rise in cost of policing
Oliver Coppard has outlined his ambition for more visible policing on the streets to cut anti-social behaviour
Last updated 5th Jan 2026
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has outlined his ambition for more visible policing on the streets to reduce neighbourhood crime and tackle anti-social behaviour through more investment in policing.
The mayor is inviting residents to share their views on his proposals before he sets the police precept – the part of council tax bills that helps fund South Yorkshire Police.
Policing is overseen by Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs. She recently joined police officers on an evening patrol recently as part of the region’s ongoing Safer Streets Winter of Action.
The deputy mayor accompanied officers through Sheffield city centre and the Christmas markets, as part of the police increased their visibility over the busy festive period. The patrol formed part of coordinated efforts across December and January to help residents, workers and visitors feel safe during one of the busiest times of the year.
Police and and local authority wardens will be working together until the end of January to address retail crime, anti-social behaviour, street crime and issues linked to the night-time economy, including greater safety for women.
Local police and fire services are funded through a mix of government grants whih make up around three-quarters of the total budget. The remainder is raised through the council tax precept.
In South Yorkshire, the policing precept makes up about 11% of a typical council tax bill.
The mayor says that extra funding for policing means safer neighbourhoods, more visible policing, quicker response times and for officers to be equipped with the modern tools they need to do their job.
If the precept is increased in line with government expectations, the rise will range from £10 a year for a Band A council tax properties to £30 a year for properties in the highest Band H.
The proposed rises for other bands are Band B £11.67, C £13.33, D £15, E £18.33, F £21.67, G £25.
The current cost per band is: A, £176.69; B, £206.14; C, £235.59; D, £265.04; E, £323.94; F, £382.84; G, £441.73; H, £530.08.
If the rise is confirmed, South Yorkshire Police will receive £396.5 million in 2026-27. That includes £289.8m from the government and £106.7m from the precept.
That represents a 4.7% (£17.8 million) increase on last year’s settlement, says the mayor’s office. The majority – 57% – of properties in South Yorkshire are in Band A.
Mayor Coppard is seeking people’s views making a proposal to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority police and crime panel in February 2026.
He said: “One of the most important jobs I have as South Yorkshire’s Mayor is to make sure South Yorkshire Police has the resources it needs to keep us and our communities safe. That means making sure our police are focused on the priorities we share, and that every pound is spent wisely to deliver on those priorities.
“I’ve heard what matters most: reducing neighbourhood crime, more visible policing on our streets, tackling antisocial behaviour and serious, violent crime, and making our transport network safer. A modest increase to the police precept would help the police to tackle those priorities.
“Every year, I have to make tough decisions about how we fund policing – balancing what our police need to do their job with the impact on household budgets. That’s why I want to hear from everyone across South Yorkshire before I set the precept that helps pay for our police.”