There is still time to influence policing where you live
Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner has extended the deadline for the policing budget survey
Last updated 3rd Jan 2023
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is asking residents where the policing element of council tax should be invested to create next year’s policing budget.
Alison Hernandez says that the 2022/23 budget enabled Devon and Cornwall Police to "hit record officer numbers" and reopen six front desks across the force area.
The Commissioner also worked with other Police and Crime Commissioners, Chief Constables and partners across the South West on what was called Operation Scorpion which helped to tackle drug dealing and the safeguarding of vulnerable victims.
She will now decide the level at which to set the precept for 2023/24 and is asking for the public's input in doing so.
The Home Office announced that Commissioners would be given additional flexibility that would enable them to raise the precept by £15 (for an average band D property) for the 2023/24 financial year without the need for a public vote on the issue (a precept referendum). The previously agreed rate had been £10.
An increase of £15 would take the annual precept for a band D household in Devon and Cornwall £261.56 (those living in band A-C properties would pay less and those in band E-H would pay more). For those who pay their bills monthly this would equate to an extra £1.50 a month over 10 months.
The Commissioner’s survey, which can be completed online or over the phone, asks the public to tell her how confident they are in police locally and nationally, to rank priority crime types, whether they are supportive of operations to target drug use and reopen more police stations to the public.
People have until midnight on Sunday, January 8, to complete the survey.