Suffolk Police up share of council tax
A Band D property will fork out an extra £30 from April
Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore has confirmed he will raise the policing element of the council tax by 30p a week (* for a Band D property) for the next financial year.
At its meeting on Friday (29 January), the Police and Crime Panel approved the PCC's proposal. This precept increase of 6.7%, equates to £15 a year for a Band D property.
The plans for the precept investment addresses some of the major areas the Constabulary needs to focus on to continue to be efficient and effective and meet the needs of residents and businesses in the county.
The Chief Constable will focus this investment in three key areas: Investigations and protecting vulnerable people, to keep us safe and ensure criminals are brought to justice; Modernisation and Transformation, to enable better agile working and ensure the Constabulary is equipped to deal with the challenges it faces and Public Engagement, making it easier to contact the police and have a say in policing across Suffolk.
Raising the policing element of the precept will fund the recruitment of additional officers and police staff. With the additional officers from the government's Operation Uplift this will increase police numbers in Suffolk by around 75 in this financial year. This will be instrumental in ensuring the Constabulary continues to be efficient and effective and able to deal with modern day policing challenges.
Tim Passmore said:
"I take no pleasure at all in increasing the policing element of the precept but if we are to improve policing in the county it is absolutely necessary. It was not an easy decision and I appreciate the support of the Panel to my proposal.
"Difficult decisions had to be made, but the overwhelming view of the public that I talk to say they want more officers policing the county and this proposal gives us exactly that. I also held a precept survey earlier this month to gauge the public view and of the 1,113 respondents, 70% supported my proposal and I am extremely grateful for this support."
He added:
"Last year's extra money for policing from the council tax has been very well used and the increased focus on organised crime groups, violence and county lines and illegal drug use has produced some stellar results. There is a page on my website which sets out exactly how last year's precept was allocated and the impact that it has had. I will be doing the same this year to show resident of Suffolk exactly how their money will be spent in this coming financial year."