Police And Crime Commissioner Proposes Council Tax Increase To Boost Policing

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has set out her recommendation to the Police and Crime Panel for the police precept of the council tax this year.

Following consultation and support from local residents, Donna Jones will present her intention to increase the policing precept of the council tax by 4.4% - which is £10 per annum based on Band D properties - on Friday (28).

It means an additional £9m will be raised for Hampshire Constabulary in 2022/23. Almost two thirds of local residents and partners who responded to the Commissioner’s consultation said they would agree a 4.4% increase to support policing and prevent crime.

A total of 4,340 members of the public have taken part in a number of online consultation exercises during the four-week consultation period from 2 December 2021 to January 4, 2022.

An increase of £10 per annum (based on Band D properties) will support the delivery of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan ‘More Police, Safer Streets’ and fund new initiatives including:

• The recruitment of 196 new police officers for Hampshire Constabulary and the enabling infrastructure, which supports the delivery of the PCC’s number one priority to have 600 more police officers by 2023 and the priority of improving police visibility
• An additional £1m in 2022/23 to support increased commissioning of services to deliver the Commissioner’s priorities to improve outcomes for victims and prevent young people from committing crime

• Significant investment in both staff and supporting infrastructure for the 101 service to reduce call waiting times and to provide improved feedback

• Investment in the police estate to ensure it remains operationally effective and provides a modern and safe working environment for police officers and staff

This includes a focus on the delivery of the top five areas which impact the public of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the most: serious and organised crime and countering terrorism; murder and serious violence; domestic abuse, rape and serious sexual offences; child abuse, exploitation and vulnerability, and fraud and cyber-crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said:

"I would like to thank local residents and partners for taking the time to give me their feedback through my consultation. With the significant support I have received and the Chief Constable’s operational recommendation, I will present my intention to the Police and Crime Panel to increase the police precept by £10 per annum this year.

"This will help to support the delivery of the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan ‘More Police, Safer Streets’ including the recruitment of 196 new  police officers; improvements to 101 to reduce call waiting times and improve feedback; modern, improved and safe police buildings, and additional commissioning funds to prevent crime, divert young people away from crime and improve services for victims. These will all help to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight two of the safest places to live, work and visit without fear of crime."