“Would you be prepared to pay an extra two pounds a month for more police officers?”
That’s the question being asked by Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson.
From today , Angus is looking for the views of Wiltshire residents on the proposed average increase of £24* a year to the policing precept.
The policing precept which is collected with your council tax, goes directly to the Police and Crime Commissioner where 98% is allocated to the Chief Constable and the remaining 2% to the PCCs office for commissioned services which includes supporting victims of crime and restorative justice.
Currently, the average Wiltshire household contributes £15.19 per month to local policing, but if residents and local businesses back the proposal then this would rise to £17.19 per month.
Angus said, “Last year, with resident’s support, I promised to maintain frontline policing numbers after several years of seeing a decrease. I also pledged to continue investing in mobile technology allowing officers and staff to work in the community.
“This year, if you agree to this precept rise, I will recruit 41 more officers and 2 dedicated cyber-crime staff.
“Cyber-crime continues to be a growing risk in modern society and those who take advantage of the most vulnerable, using technology, are a very real threat.
“If the public supports my proposal, I will allocate funding to two dedicated cyber teams, one focusing on the despicable crime of child sexual exploitation and the other on fraud.
“There will also be a renewed focus on crime prevention using a range of tactics to target those who are likely to commit crime in future.”
If the public backs the proposal then additional officers will be recruited to enhance proactive policing and crime prevention.
Angus added, “I’ve listened to the public when they’ve said they don’t see the police enough, and community policing is an absolute priority for me.
“Some of these additional officers will be placed in response teams to ensure an enhanced focus on building stronger links with the communities Wiltshire Police serves and protects, and others within the cyber teams.
“It’s always a difficult decision to increase the precept, but it is necessary if we want more police officers.
“The long distance between our communities puts added pressure on our resources, and I continue to lobby the Government to give Wiltshire a fairer amount of the national funding pot.”
The consultation will run until 31st January 2019. Complete the survey here.
For more information on how to share your views, you can also email pcc@wiltshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or use #AskAngusPCC on social media.
*The £2 a month increase relates to the average band D property. Any increase to the policing precept will be added to council tax bands proportionately. For example, a monthly increase of £1.33 for Band A and £4 for Band H.