Police funding tax to increase by 6.3%

The portion of council tax that pays towards policing is set to increase in the Humberside force area.

The police precept is to rise by 6.3%, meaning Band D households will pay £18.49 more a year.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel was told the increase was higher than the usual rate due to financial pressures.

The panel needed approval from the Home Office as the rise is above the government's £15 cap.

The report to the panel stated an application was made to increase the precept "in order to try and maintain existing frontline policing numbers, ensure financial sustainability and secure a reasonable minimum level of reserves over the medium-term".

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison ran an online consultation to gauge the public's opinion on potential levels of increase.

It received 1,796 responses, 51% of which supported an increase of £14.99 or more on a Band D property.

However, 37% of the public supported a rise of £9.99 or less, according to the LDRS.

The additional income is expected to generate a further £5.5m towards police funding.

However, the PCC told the panel that despite this increase in funding, the force will still have to find money and make savings.

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