Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones is urging residents to share their views in the annual police budget consultation
18 November 2024
The Commissioner is asking local residents to complete an online survey and provide feedback.
The consultation starts today, Monday 18 November, and will close at 11.59pm on Monday 16 December, giving residents four weeks to respond.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “This survey is designed to capture your views on increasing the level of council tax in support of policing, to ensure continued investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
“The biggest pressures on police budgets are police officer and staff wage increase, reopening police stations, and the cost of police cars and uniforms. Whilst inflation has decreased over the last 12 months, recruiting, training and equipping new police officers are increasing.
“This year, the government announced a 4.75% pay rise for police officers and the same for police staff. Whilst the government has provided additional funding to assist with some of the cost of the pay award, there has been no additional government support for non-pay expenditure which I must fund.
“For the last financial year, the increase in council tax funded the recruitment of 75 more police officers, in addition to the 50 extra officers I pledged in 2022, and the 600 officers pledged when I was first elected as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021. Over the last three years, I have ensured the force is able to recruit an additional 725 police officers.
“The public have unequivocally told me they want to see their local officers patrolling their beat, and they want to be able to walk into their local police station.
“With your support, I hope to strengthen neighbourhood policing with my Local Bobby scheme and ensure officers can respond quickly in your time of need.
“By the end of the year, I would have opened seven more police stations to the public, with more to come in 2025.”
The Commissioner has just launched her new Police and Crime Plan which outlines six local policing priorities following feedback from over 10,000 residents. Increasing police visibility and engagement is top of the list, in addition to tackling retail and rural crime, serious violence, anti-social behaviour and improving road safety.
Calling on the public to have their say, Donna Jones said: “How much you want to contribute to policing for the next financial year helps me ensure the police delivers the service you expect. Your views on where you want your money to go and which crimes matter to you the most, is vital. That’s why it’s so important that you have your say by completing this short survey.”
This survey is open for four weeks in order to hear from as many people as possible.
Contributions are based on a band D property, which means you will pay less if your property is a band A-C and more if it is a band E-H.
If you are not sure which council tax band your property is in, you can check at Check your Council Tax band – GOV.UK
The survey will close at 11.59pm on Monday 16 December 2024.