West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster criticised the flat-rate model adopted by the Government for allocating the money to forces.

West Midlands Police’s top boss has criticised an ‘inexcusable and unfair’ model used to allocate funding to support crime victims affected by prison release changes.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has committed £18.9 million for victim support following changes introduced through the Sentencing Act 2026, including £8.19 million for a PCC surge fund.

But West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster criticised the flat-rate model adopted by the Government for allocating the money to forces.

He said the allocation does not reflect the differing populations, levels of demand and numbers of victims across different police force areas.

Each police force area will be able to receive a total allocation of £195,000 over the three financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29.

The new Progression Model came into force on 2 September 2026 and changes the point at which some prisoners serving standard determinate sentences become eligible for release.

It is aimed to help manage prison capacity while maintaining supervision of offenders in the community.

The MoJ has also acknowledged that changes to release dates can have a significant impact on victims and has committed additional funding to provide emotional and practical support, including a dedicated helpline.

Mr Foster said: “It is deeply regrettable, inexcusable and unfair the MoJ has chosen to adopt a flat rate funding model across all police force areas for the allocation of surge uplift funding.

“The funding has been made available because it is acknowledged that when the MoJ rolls out large-scale sentencing adjustments that trigger early prisoner releases, it places intense, sudden pressure on local communities, probation services, and emergency frameworks.

“The funding is to manage the widespread community and safety impacts of transitioning prisoners out of custody and back into society.

“However, the MoJ’s decision to adopt a flat rate funding model across all police force areas – as opposed to a population-based formula or a need/demand-based approach – means that we in the West Midlands will receive exactly the same funding as far smaller police force areas with significantly smaller populations and with much reduced threat, risk, need, demand, harm and vulnerability.

“This deeply regrettable, inexcusable and unfair decision by the MoJ will seriously undermine the rights and welfare of victims and survivors in the West Midlands.

“Once again, when it comes to the allocation of funding and resources, to prevent and tackle crime and keep the people, families, businesses and communities of the West Midlands safe and secure, we are under-funded, ripped off and short changed.”