Plans to raise the police’s share of council tax to an average of £7.77 a year have been revealed.
In the last 12 months, Cumbria Constabulary has responded to 63,287 incidents and made 10,222 arrests.
Now, Peter McCall, Cumbria’s crime commissioner is asking for people’s feedback on his plans to raise council tax to help the constabulary keep fighting crime.
Forty per cent of the force is funded by the council tax precept, while 60 per cent comes from the Government.
Mr McCall has proposed raising the police’s precept to £7.77 a year for a Band B property – or 65p a month. A Band B property would see a rise to £9.99 a year or 83p a month.
He said: “Unfortunately, policing – like every other aspect of public service and indeed our own household bills – is subject to rising costs and inflation.
“The inescapable reality is that the cost of running Cumbria Constabulary is increasing with inflation and an increased budget of £121 million is required to maintain an efficient and effective police service.
“I know that no one wants to pay more tax of any kind, but I also know that people want reassurance that our streets and communities are going to be kept safe. I think most would agree, that policing is a service we cannot afford to let slip, and that is why I want to hear your views.”
He said by March 2022, the constabulary was on track to have recruited an extra 144 officers, with an extra 64 planned for 2022/2023.
Mr McCall said: “As the police and crime commissioner, I must ensure that Cumbria Constabulary has the necessary resources to fight crime and anti-social behaviour in order to keep us all safe and maintain low levels of crime.”
New figures show that between December 1 2020 and November 30 this year, officers and staff:
- Dealt with 63,203 999 calls
- Dealt with 142,186 101 calls
- Dealt with 8,597 anti-social behaviour incidents
- Dealt with 5,948 mental health incidents
- Made 14,270 referrals for vulnerable people
- Made 8,118 referrals to protect people from domestic abuse
- Recorded 800 hate crimes
- Dealt with 195 serious collisions on the road
- Saw 2,292 cyber crime reports
- Handled 3,368 missing people reports
- Dealt with 65,204 social media interactions
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “In recent years our communities have, via their council tax precept, enabled us to maintain and invest in our policing service to help keep people safe.
“Following the recruitment of additional officers, we have increased visibility in local communities to effectively tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We have also been able to extend resources in the unseen elements of policing, which threaten our communities such as safeguarding and protecting vulnerable people, managing dangerous offenders, drug supply, online fraud and crime, as well as cross-border crime.
“I am proud that Cumbria remains a high-performing police force, which has been graded as GOOD across the board by our inspectorate.
“I have reluctantly asked the Police and Crime Commissioner for an additional 65p a month for band B properties or 83p a month for band D properties. This request is one that is not made easily, but is one that is crucial to maintain our policing service.
“I hope that the public continue to support Cumbria Constabulary to ensure we can continue to improve our service to local communities, protecting victims, safeguarding vulnerable people, pursuing offenders effectively and tackling organised, cross-border crime to keep Cumbria safe.”
People are asked to fill out a survey. To take part, visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/L1WQQH/
The survey will close at 5pm on 21 January 21 and paper copies of this survey can be obtained by ringing 01768 217734 or emailing commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk
- Council tax is collected by district councils, which also take a portion of the precept. The lion’s share goes to Cumbria County Council and parish councils also take a slice.
