25 Jan Roger Hirst proposes additional funds to fulfil commitments for the Police and Crime Plan
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, has proposed a 3.25% increase in the Essex Police component of Council Tax, equivalent to £4.95 per year for a band D property.
The additional money will fund resources in line with commitments under the recently published Police and Crime Plan, including increasing police officers, the doubling of the Special Constable Programme and improvements in the 101 public contact system.
Mr Hirst said: “As I have gone out and met people from across our county I have consistently heard that people want more local, visible and accessible policing. This proposal delivers a range of tangible investments that will help meet these expectations and make it absolutely clear what the people of Essex will be getting for their money.
Mr Hirst said: “Essex police is a very lean force and have the lowest expenditure per resident of any police force in England and Wales. Essex also has one of the lowest council tax precepts for policing in the country and central government funding for policing remains constrained. My proposal to increase the Police proportion of Council Tax by £4.95 for a band D property, which is less than 10p per week, will help us respond to the changing nature of crime and provide more local, visible and accessible policing.”
