POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon has issued a statement and survey, asking for the public to share views about a potential increase in tax, to fund 40 additional police officers, as the force faces ‘increased financial pressures.’
A statement from the Wiltshire and Swindon PCC, Philip Wilkinson, says, “It is my job as Police and Crime Commissioner to ensure Wiltshire Police has the necessary resources to fight and prevent crime.
“As with your finances during this time, your Force is facing increased financial pressures too.
“With an indication of a 1% increase in central funding from Government for 2023/24, Wiltshire Police faces making £5.5m worth of savings.
“This is at a time when we need to invest in the policing service to ensure necessary changes and improvements are made to keep the county safe – and to bring the Force out of the HMIC Engage process (special measures).
“On the 12th December, the Government increased the cap on police precept, without local referendum, so that PCCs can now potentially increase by up £15 a year for a Band D household.
“Originally, I could only increase the precept by 4.1% which meant an average Band D household would pay an extra £10 a year, 83p a month or £251.47 annually.
“This announcement means I could now increase the average Band D police precept by up to 6.2% – an extra £1.25 a month, £15 per year, or £256.47 annually.
“The implications on finances if an average £15 precept increase per Band D household is taken are now being worked on by my team and I will let you know the detail as soon as I am able.
“During the last year, our communities have reinforced the need for more frontline police officers – and I agree with them. Using your support for a precept increase, we will have additional police officers to help provide more visible policing and quality investigations.
“Working with the Chief Constable, and on his operational advice, we will deliver 40 additional police officers for our neighbourhood and volume crime teams as a result of the annual review of the current workforce mix. This will mean Wiltshire Police will better meet the needs of our communities.
“These officers will bolster Wiltshire Police’s work in the community, and crime investigation, and are in addition to the Uplift officers who are also coming through the recruitment and training pipeline into our communities, as well as specialist roles and the rural crime team.
“I know in normal times an increase in contributions will be felt by our communities, but in the current economic situation I realise this increase will be felt more keenly than ever before, but I am asking for your support for the increase.
“The decision to ask for this support has been a difficult one – and one that I would not make if there was an alternative.
“I encourage you to fill out the survey – it is only by using your voice that we can truly understand the views of local people.
“The precept survey can be found on my website and is being advertised across all our digital channels. It is short, and should only take a few moments to fill in. Thank you.”
A link to the survey can be found here, https://www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5T9YQVK?fbclid=IwAR1yFDrTbdfHTuvQRWGzeG8gUu7D1QHiN55wuiBnUjMPMhxfdy-GvGZS1gw
