Value for money

Value for money dashboards

Our value for money dashboards give an overview of spending for all 43 police forces in England and Wales. They provide data about:

• how much forces spend on different policing activities;
• how crime levels compare across forces, as well as what outcomes forces achieve; and
• workforce costs, broken down by role, rank and gender.

To learn more about the data in the dashboards and how to analyse it, you can read understanding the value for money dashboards.

Policing in austerity

Between 2011 and 2014, we carried out annual inspections to see how police forces were adapting to a 20% reduction in central funding. Our Valuing the Police programme inspected:

• how forces reduced spending
• impact on service provision and risk management; and
• how well forces were able to plan their finances.

Since 2014, this area has been inspected as part of our PEEL assessment programme.

Value for money inspections

Increasing efficiency in the Police Service: The role of collaboration – 2 July 2012

In 2012, we inspected how police forces saved money by collaborating with partner organisations and across forces. We found that while all 43 forces in England and Wales engaged in collaboration, some forces needed to provide better evidence that their collaboration plans saved money.

Demanding Times – The front line and police visibility – 30 March 2011

In 2011, we inspected police forces to see how many of their officers and staff were in public-facing roles. This report developed the modern definition of “front line” staff in policing.

Police governance effectiveness: Police governance in austerity – 25 October 2010

In 2010, police authorities in England and Wales were due to be replaced by elected police and crime commissioners. We helped to prepare for this by inspecting how well the existing system governed finances, strategy and collaboration.

Valuing the Police – Policing in an age of austerity – 20 July 2010

In 2010, we inspected how police forces used their resources and organised their staff. This report found that only 11% of police officers were visibly available to the public, and that this figure was likely to be reduced as a result of austerity.

Getting together – a better deal for the public through joint working – 8 June 2009

In 2009, we inspected how the police service worked together to get the best value for public money. We made four recommendations around how forces could save money by collaborating.