Gloucestershire PCC seeks public view on raising council tax to pay for policing
Chris nelson is preparing his budget for the next year
Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Comissioner is seeking the public's view on raising council tax to pay for policing.
Chris Nelson is currently holding talks with the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police to prepare his budget for the force for the next year.
Mr Nelson says an increase in council tax of ÂŁ10 a year - the equivalent of an extra 20 pence per week for a Band D property - to help him deliver on his manifesto pledges.
They include tackling anti-social behaviour and put an extra 300 police officers on the streets.
The cost of policing in Gloucestershire is now split almost equally between a grant from Central Government and funding from local tax- payers.
Chris Nelson said: "“The Government’s uplift programme has helped me make a start and enabled the Constabulary to bring in a number of new officers already.
"As part of this year’s central grant settlement, I am also allowed to increase the part of the council tax that pays for policing by up to £10 without a referendum.
“Having won people’s votes on the promise of recruiting more police officers, driving down anti-social behaviour and making it easier to contact the police, I am determined to repay that faith."
He adds: “I remain committed to my manifesto promises and I am working with the Chief Constable to ensure that a £10 increase meets his most immediate needs such as investigating crimes against the most vulnerable in society, by for example increasing the numbers working in Child Abuse Investigation Teams".
The increase would also help pay for more call handlers in the Force Control Room to answer 999 and 101 calls.
The public can offer their thoughts on the policing budget by sending an email to PCC@gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk.