WORCESTER MP Robin Walker has hailed the announcement of the largest increase in police funding since 2010.

Central funding for West Mercia Police in 2019/20 will go up to £122.4m – an increase of approximately £2.3m compared to this year.

Nationally, the provisional police funding settlement of up to £14 billion for 2019-20 is up to £970 million more than the previous year.

It is expected to enable the police to better meet financial pressures and respond effectively to the changing and increasingly complex crimes they face.

Mr Walker believes the settlement demonstrates the Home Office’s commitment to fighting serious and organised crime – including economic crime and drug trafficking, with a £90 million investment in national, regional and local capabilities.

The Conservative MP recently spent the day with West Mercia’s new Local Policing Priorities Team in Worcester, a pro-active uniformed response team working to disrupt criminal networks and high-risk offenders.

He said: “The Home Secretary has been clear in his commitment to our police, and this funding allocation will provide the resources needed to keep our communities safe.

“By helping forces with increased cost pressures such as pensions, more money can be spent on front-line policing.

“I would particularly like to thank West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, who has been a consistent campaigner for increased police funding in the region.”

He described the new LPPT unit as a “dynamic and visible police presence on the streets of Worcester” which has been “established as a result of funding allocated by the PCC”.

As announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, funding for counter-terrorism policing will increase by £59 million in 2019/20 to £816 million.

This is £160 million more than the Government planned at the last Spending Review, maintaining the commitment to provide the resources needed to keep the public safe, according to Mr Walker’s office.

There is also £153 million specifically to help policing meet increased pensions costs next year – estimated at around £330 million.

Home Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid said: “Since becoming Home Secretary I have been clear I would prioritise police funding, and today [December 14] I have delivered on that promise.

“It will enable the police to recruit more officers and be better placed to respond to the increasingly complex crimes they face.”

West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It’s clear that Sajid Javid has listened to and delivered for the communities of West Mercia.

“I have spoken with him personally on a number of occasions to discuss police resources.

“I am grateful for him for listening and doing everything possible to support our police and make our communities safer.

“Next year’s draft budget for West Mercia is almost complete. I will consider the options regarding the precept and publish my proposals shortly.”