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Police Service of Northern Ireland

Asked by Robin SwannUlster Unionist PartyNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled Answered 18 June 2026UIN 8981

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what role his Department has in the (a) approval, (b) payment of and (c) cost recovery when mutual aid is supplied to the PSNI from other UK Police Forces.

Answered by Hilary Benn

The provision of Mutual Aid between constabularies in the UK is coordinated by the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) which is a body of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). There is no role for the Secretary of State.

The host force is strictly liable for all costs associated with the receipt of aid.

The PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice (DoJ). The UK Government is providing the PSNI with £37.8m in additional security funding each financial year until 2028/29.

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