TAXPAYERS in Warwickshire are being asked to pay an extra £24 a year on average to pay for extra police officers.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Seccombe wants to recruit 85 officers in a bid to strengthen the force to 947 – still 26 fewer than it had in 2010. He also wants to recruit five community support officers and ten staff investigators.
But the costs would be met by increasing council tax by £2 a month for an average Band D home – double last year’s rise – after the government announced PCCs could raise their share of the charge to meet rising demand.
A public consultation on Warwickshire Police’s draft budget for 2019/20 has been launched – and includes options for tax hikes of £1.50 or £1 a month which would see fewer officers recruited and no new PCSOs or investigators appointed.
The extra funds would also be used to modernise the force’s stations and IT infrastructure.
Mr Seccombe said the public had made it clear they wanted more officers on patrol.
He added: “Similarly, when I talk to police officers in Warwickshire, I hear of the increased workloads they are having to carry to meet rising levels of demand.
“The government has provided some welcome additional funding for policing this year, but this alone will not deliver enough resources to be able to make the substantial increase in officer numbers that I believe is required.
“Doing nothing to change this situation is not an option. However, I understand that any proposals to raise council tax cause concern, so I am very keen to get the public’s views.”
Visit www.warwickshire-pcc.gov.uk to take part in the survey which closes on January 24.
