Warks taxpayers vote to pay more to keep bobbies on the beatTAXPAYERS in Warwickshire are happy to pay more to keep bobbies on the beat.
Over 70 per cent of 1,500 people who took part in a public consultation voted for the maximum proposed rise in Warwickshire Police’s share of Council Tax – a £12 annual increase on an average Band D property.
If the hike is agreed by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Seccombe, it will save the jobs of around 50 of the force’s 800 frontline police officers – although budget cuts could still see around ten lose their jobs.
A Government freeze on police budgets this year will see Warwickshire Police lose around £950,000.
But PCCs across the country are being allowed to raise their percentage of Council Tax, and Warwickshire’s offered residents the choice of a £12, £10 or £8 rise to the average Band D bill. Most opted for the £12 hike.
Mr Seccombe says the proposed rise will keep 50 officers on the street, up from his initial estimate of 33.
He said: “It’s clear the public wants to see more police on their streets.
“Without a cash boost of this scale, Warwickshire Police would lose around 60 police officer posts over the medium term – a position that would reduce the level of service to the public.
“I do not think this is acceptable and the consultation shows this is not what the public want.”
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics last year showed crime in Warwickshire had risen by around a quarter in the 12 months to June.
Government cuts since 2010 have resulted in 138 fewer police officers in Warwickshire.
Just over seven per cent of consultation respondents supported a £10 increase, and 14 per cent the lowest proposed rise of £8. Just under eight per cent said they would prefer not to see any increase.
Mr Seccombe was due to propose the £12 rise to the Police and Crime Panel today (Thursday February 1). Warwickshire Police’s 2018/19 budget will be finalised later this month.
The police portion of the overall council tax bill equates to around ten per cent.