How Wakefield Council Funding More Police Officers Will Make Your Community Safer

Ever walked through town and just felt that little bit safer seeing a police officer on patrol? It’s a reassuring sight, isn’t it? Well, people in the Wakefield district might be seeing more of that soon. On 12 March 2026, Wakefield Council announced a plan to put more money into making local communities safer. The goal is to get more police and other officers out on the streets to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head-on, making the city and surrounding towns better places for everyone who lives and works there.

More boots on the ground in Wakefield

So, what’s the actual plan? As part of its 2026/27 budget, Wakefield Council is putting £200,000 on the table specifically to boost the presence of law enforcement. This money comes from a larger pot called the District Investment Fund and is earmarked to support police staff and a couple of the council's own enforcement officers. The idea is simple: more people on the beat means more visible patrols, which helps to deter troublemakers and makes residents feel more secure. This initiative is a big step in the council's ongoing commitment to its local communities.

Tackling nuisance behaviour is a top priority. Whether it's noisy groups hanging around late at night or more serious issues, this funding aims to reduce all forms of anti-social behaviour. Having more officers conducting patrols across the district means they can respond faster and be in the places they're needed most. It’s about being proactive, not just reacting after a crime has happened.

Cllr Daniel Wilton, who is Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, explained the thinking behind it. He said: “We’re determined to ensure our city and town centres are places where people want to visit, live, work and do business. We know that seeing more police on the streets is reassuring for people in our communities. Our ongoing work with the police on tackling anti-social behaviour has seen great success. And I’m pleased to say through this funding we can ensure this work continues, keeping our streets safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”

What is the district investment fund?

That £200,000 for extra patrols is just a slice of a much bigger pie. It comes from the £4.3 million District Investment Fund, a special fund set up by Wakefield Council to support a whole range of local needs. This shows that the council is looking at the bigger picture of what makes communities strong and healthy. It's not just about tackling crime; it's about building a supportive environment for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest residents across the district.

The fund's focus is broad, aiming to help people from all walks of life. The District Investment Fund helps in many ways, including:

• Providing huge support for local families with the cost of school uniforms.

• Giving a one-off payment to qualifying pensioners to help with seasonal costs.

• Putting money towards training and education to help 16 to 18-year-olds get ahead.

• Addressing the need for more accessible childcare for working parents.

• Offering free gym memberships to young people to create more leisure opportunities.

• Funding the extra police staff and enforcement officers to tackle anti-social behaviour.

This approach shows a deep understanding of how different issues are connected. Helping families with costs like school uniforms or childcare reduces stress, while providing training and leisure opportunities gives young people positive things to do. It all contributes to creating safer and happier communities where anti-social behaviour is less likely to take root.

A team effort to tackle trouble

This initiative isn't just one organisation's job. The success so far has been down to fantastic partnership work. The Wakefield Council works closely with the local police force and other groups through a dedicated team called the Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce. Think of it as a supergroup where everyone combines their powers to solve problems in the city and wider district. This collaboration means they can share information and coordinate their efforts to have a bigger impact on crime.

This new funding will strengthen that partnership work even further. The person leading the local police effort, Chief Superintendent Stuart Bainbridge, is the Wakefield District Commander. He welcomed the investment from the District Investment Fund, seeing it as a way to build on the progress already made.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bainbridge said: “This funding will help us build on the great work we’ve already been doing across the Wakefield district, as a police force and as a partnership. We’ll now be able to fill in the gaps and direct our patrols to where they’re needed most. Allowing us to form a targeted response across the entire district.” His words highlight how this money will allow for smarter policing, focusing resources where they can make the most difference.

How it’s already working

This isn't just a hopeful plan for the future; it's based on strategies that are already proving effective. A key tool in the fight against anti-social behaviour has been the city centre’s Public Spaces Protection Order, or PSPO. A PSPO sets out rules for a specific area to clamp down on nuisance behaviours. For example, it can restrict street drinking or aggressive begging. The order for Wakefield’s city centre was extended in December 2025, showing the council’s long-term commitment.

The results speak for themselves. During 2025, the council’s efforts, supported by the Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce, led to some impressive outcomes. The authorities successfully applied for 31 criminal behaviour orders. These are serious, long-term orders imposed by courts on individuals who persistently cause trouble in their communities. On top of that, they issued 154 fixed penalty notices – which are basically on-the-spot fines for lower-level offences. This proactive approach, led by Cllr Daniel Wilton, the Cabinet Member for Communities, and his team, has made a real difference. The new funding for more enforcement officers and police will only strengthen this effective system of tackling crime.