Force may increase precept ‘to fund more officers’

SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S policing tsar is consulting on plans to raise the force’s council tax precept by the “maximum amount allowed” to fund an increase in officer numbers.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, said an increase of £2 a month for a mid-range, Band D property, could help to boost “the number of officers across the board to meet the demands the force is facing”.

Earlier this month, the Government announced commissioners could hike precepts by up to £24 a year for a Band D home – double last year’s maximum increase – without triggering a local referendum.

Dr Billings said: “Whilst I understand that austerity affects everyone in South Yorkshire, I have to balance this against the demand for policing services.

“Over the last few years the number of police officers reduced dramatically and I now believe that we need to put more officers back into our neighbourhood policing teams and increase the number of officers across the board to meet the demands the force is facing.

“I am seeking the views of members of the public on raising the precept by the maximum amount allowed to enable the force to increase police officer numbers over the next few years.

“Throughout the year members of my office have been speaking to people about a potential rise in the precept.

“Now that we know how much that rise could be, we would like to know if the public of South Yorkshire are supportive. To do this we will be out and about in communities seeking views during January. We have also launched a short online survey which I would encourage everyone to fill in and have their say.”

Commissioners in both North and West Yorkshire have already begun consultations into the idea of raising precepts by £24 a year.