'Tax hike needed to plug £20m policing shortfall'

12 hours ago

Esme AshcroftPolitical reporter for Gloucestershire

News image — Cuts to frontline police numbers are "highly likely" if taxes do not rise

Getty Images The back of a woman police officer wearing a yellow high vis jacket with the words police written on the back. She is stood in front of a blurred landscape. — Cuts to frontline police numbers are "highly likely" if taxes do not rise

Plans to increase council tax will help protect frontline officer numbers, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

Residents in Gloucestershire are facing a £25 increase in the section of their tax bills that covers policing, to help plug Gloucestershire Constabulary's £20m shortfall over the next four years.

PCC for the force, Chris Nelson, is waiting to hear if government will allow him to carry out the hike without a referendum. If approved, an average Band D household will pay £347 towards the force from April.

Nelson warned failure to raise additional money would make "significant cuts" to frontline police numbers "highly likely", risking "public safety".

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He added: "I know times are hard and seeing more of your hard-earned money leaving your account to pay for your local force is not welcome, but every pound provided will be spent wisely and give excellent value for money.

"If we fail to act now, balance our budget and create more financial resilience, there will be dire consequences down the line."

OPCC PCC Chris Nelson, wearing a blue shirt, yellow and blue tie and frameless glasses, stood in front of a PCC sign to the right of the picture, looking at the camera with a serious expression. — Nelson says there will be dire consequences down the line if the force is unable to deliver a balanced budget

Police forces are funded through a combination of money from central government and a section of local council tax bills, which they are allowed to increase by a maximum of £15 each year for a Band D property.

Any proposed increase above £15 usually triggers a local referendum, but Gloucestershire – along with 10 other forces – has written to the government to ask if this requirement can be suspended for the next financial year.

Increasing operational costs and having to pay for two chief constables is partly to blame for the need to make £20m of savings by 2030.

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The PCC said £12m efficiency savings have already been made, but claimed the charge has to be increased to maintain policing in the county and "keep the wolf from the door".

"Failing to act now could create larger risks later - to officer numbers, police visibility, response times and public safety," he added.

"I do not want Gloucestershire to fall behind at a time when communities and victims expect a lot from their local force."

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