MP for Boston and Skegness, Richard Tice has co-signed a letter calling on additional funding to be given to Lincolnshire Police.
The letter, signed by Dr. Caroline Johnson MP (Conservative / Sleaford and North Hykeham), The Rt Hon Sir John Hayes CBE MP (Conservative / South Holland and the Deepings), Gareth Davies MP (Conservative / Grantham and Bourne), The Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP (Conservative / Gainsborough), Alicia Kearns MP (Conservative / Rutland and Stamford), The Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP (Conservative / Louth and Horncastle) and Richard Tice MP (Reform UK / Boston and Skegness), addressed to The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP (Labour / Secretary of State for the Home Office) calls for emergency funding to be granted to Lincolnshire Police amongst concerns that the force will not survive in it’s current financial state.
The letter dated 11th July 2025 reads:
“Dear Secretary of State for the Home Office,
“This week, we received a deeply concerning letter from the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner in Lincolnshire about how urgent and precarious their financial situation is. You will be aware that we have previously raised our concerns about the funds available to Lincolnshire Police. Following these discussions, independent experts from CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) were commissioned to assess the service’s efficiency. Their findings were clear: “…financial management within Lincolnshire Police is robust, with clear oversight, disciplined budget control, and a culture of operational cost-consciousness.”
“However, they also warned that “Without additional support or fundamental change in funding arrangements the force is at risk of having to issue a section 114 notice.” This would mark the first time a police force has ever been forced to do so, and it would leave communities in Lincolnshire unpoliced and unsafe.
“Following our earlier representations, you provided short-term financial support for this year, for which we are very grateful. However, without additional support, Lincolnshire Police will need to begin planning from October for a reduction of 190 police officers and 180 police staff. This is in addition to recent reductions in non pay budgets as well as significant planned reductions to both fleet by 5% and estate by 40%.
“A reduction to a 1,000 person-strong police force – which is what Lincolnshire Police are preparing for – would have a profound impact on the ability to deliver a safe and effective policing service against crimes such as rape, domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
“Lincolnshire Police officers and support staff are working tirelessly across a large rural geography to deliver the quickest 999 answering times, highest rape convictions, and one of the lowest crime rates across the country. All of this is under threat.
“This is not a political issue; it is a matter of public safety.
“Please can we meet with you urgently to discuss how this matter can be resolved?”
