Extra council tax to fund police officers
POLICE chiefs unanimously backed a funding proposal to secure 76 new officers and boost the number of investigators working on sexual assault.
The proposed scheme requires an extra £1 a month on the council tax levy and would also provide for technology investment to improve efficiency.
Lord Willy Bach, Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, presented the proposal to the Police and Crime Panel and said that the decision would strengthen neighbourhood policing.
He said: “In considering my options, I was determined to lay safe foundations for future years, but the options available were not exactly plentiful.
“The Policing Minister’s proposals to raise more funding for policing are not wholly unwelcome, but I am disappointed that the entire burden is to be placed on local residents without any increase from the central funding pot.
“However, I am tremendously grateful for the support I have received from local taxpayers indicating their willingness to pay more for police services.”
The budget will allow for 52 officers to be replaced as they retire, with three of the new 24 posts going to each neighbourhood to look at cyber-crime, fraud, sexual offences and modern slavery.
The funds will also be invested in ensuring the force’s mobile kit works more effectively and in mobile fingerprint ID technology.
The net revenue budget for policing in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 2018/19 was set at £176.255m, including a contribution of £5.058m from reserves.
The total amount paid towards policing by a Band D household will go from £187.23 in the current financial year to £199.23 in 2018/19.