As VB reported last week, the Hampshire Police Authority was due to meet today to approve the recommended increase to the Police Council Tax Precept.
The increase will mean a rise of £4.14 for a band D council tax payer.
We’re told that £600,000 is earmarked for replacement of 4,500 sets of body armour, the ageing staff IT system will see a £700,000 allocation for modernisation and £800,000 will help increase the use of mobile data to free up officers for more work in the community.
Commenting on the budget, Police Authority Chair Councillor Jacqui Rayment said: “This is a budget that meets most people’s expectations in a challenging financial climate. The public do appreciate that we have to deliver an excellent policing service, and we are trying to support the police to do their job. The extra funding to replace body armour and update the IT systems are not luxuries, they are essential for operational effectiveness. I’m sure that most people would rather pay a little bit more than have cuts in front line policing.”
Image: Tony Webster under CC BY 2.0
