The Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has set out her recommendation to the Police and Crime Panel for the police precept of the council tax this year, following extensive consultation and significant support from local residents.
On 28th January 2022, Commissioner Jones will present her intention to increase the policing precept of the council tax by 4.4 per cent, which is £10 per annum based on Band D properties, which will raise an additional £9m 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 per cent increase to support policing and prevent crime.
What the increase will support
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
Focus on top five areas of policing
The precept increase will help to ensure the police have the right resources to tackle crime and the total investment by the Commissioner in the Constabulary will increase by £28m* compared to the 2021/22 budget.
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.
Jones: Make them two of the safest places to live, work and visit
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.”
*this is the net increase in direct support of the Constabulary budget and includes inflation £6.6m, Efficiency Savings (£1.4m), Growth £11.1m, Specific allocation to Reserves £11.5m (Uplift, vehicles, Marine Unit, Equipment)
News shared by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in their own words. Ed
