Taxpayers in Wiltshire are facing higher costs than ever before to fund local policing, according to new figures.

Home Office figures show council taxpayers will have to pay £73 million to fund Wiltshire Police in 2024-25, a rise of 5 per cent from £70 million paid the previous year.

This is equivalent to 46 per cent of the whole funding for policing in Wiltshire and the highest figure since local records began in 2015-16.

Wiltshire Police will receive £161million – up from £150 million in 2023-24 – and the government will supply the additional £88 million.

Steve Hartshorn, Police Federation of England and Wales national chair, said: "It is disappointing to see PCCs yet again having to choose to take more money from local residents who have already paid for policing in taxes at a time when the cost of living is still biting hard on many, especially the recent energy cost increases.

"Those areas that can least afford to pay extra will suffer unless funds are apportioned according to the needs of the public.

"Policing should not be a postcode lottery where the most in need are often the least supported.

"We also call on the Government to begin the long-awaited review of the police funding formula.

"The current funding formula sees some parts of the country receive a disproportionate amount of funding compared to other parts of England and Wales."

Across England and Wales, the funding for all police forces has risen from 15.6 billion in 2023-24 to £16.6 billion for 2024-25 and a third of that will be provided through council tax.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Hard-working Brits will expect this extra cash to deliver safer streets and more criminals behind bars.

"As council tax soars but bobbies fail to investigate burglaries, households are not getting the service they deserve.

"Police forces must make sure taxpayers' money is spent efficiently and focused on protecting the public."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "It is this government's mission to take back our streets and have committed to delivering 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and community support officers, tackle anti-social behaviour and introduce tougher powers to tackle repeat offending.

"Funding beyond 24-25 will be confirmed in the upcoming multi-year Spending Review. However, this government remains committed to ensuring that the police have the resources they need to tackle crime effectively."