Would you pay more council tax for more police in Dorset?
It's the last chance to have your say
Would you pay £1.25 extra per month if it meant more police officers in Dorset?
Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking to increase the force’s share of council tax to help meet the goal of recruiting 64 new police officers by the end of March.
Martyn Underhill said:
“We have just been through a year like no other, and despite the very positive news about vaccines, the pandemic is far from over.
“Considering that we are in the midst of an ongoing crisis, and the Government are faced with arguably one of the biggest challenges since the Second World War, I have to be realistic about the state of the country’s finances.
"The recent Government Spending Review prioritised COVID-19 and so PCCs have been asked to raise their precept levels to help police forces balance their budgets.
“In the circumstances, I welcome the funding package given to Dorset Police which provides some flexibility and will enable the Force to continue recruiting more officers over the next year.
“An additional £1.25 a month will allow the Force to meet these unavoidable costs, provide an enhanced service in the face of a global health emergency and allow the further recruitment of additional officers.”
The coronavirus pandemic is putting extra pressure on officers who are now required to police the lockdown restrictions, as well as normal policing.
Fewer of us are paying council tax as well this year due to hardship, meaning Dorset Police has less incoming money, according to Martyn.
Martyn Underhill said:
“I am fully aware that many people across Dorset are worried about their livelihoods at the moment, and it’s with a heavy heart that I have to go out once again and ask cash strapped families to contribute more.
“I remain immensely frustrated that the financial burden for policing is being passed to local taxpayers once again. I have consistently argued that the funding settlement is unfair to smaller forces like ours, which has to make up almost half of its budget through local taxation.
“Although I have already said I will not be standing in next year’s PCC elections, I will use my remaining months in office to continue demanding a fairer settlement for Dorset Police, which remains one of the lowest funded forces in the country.“
Police to deliver a balanced budget, pay for additional costs and recruit new officers.