Your views wanted on police budget

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is asking for views on whether there should be an increase in the level of council tax which you pay in support of policing, to ensure continued investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Inflation pressures remain higher than the government target. The biggest pressures on police budgets are police officer and staff wage increases and the cost of items such as fuel, police cars and uniforms. These items have increased the costs of running the force over the last 12 months.
For the last financial year, the increase in council tax funded the recruitment of 50 more police officers to keep communities safe, in addition to the 600 new officers pledged when Ms Jones was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021. In total, that’s 650 extra police officers; the force’s biggest ever recruitment drive.

To further increase police visibility, 10 more police stations will open over the next 18 months meaning there will be a police station with a public front counter in every district.

This year, the government announced a 7% 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 the high inflation increases on non-pay expenditure which we must take into account.

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 complete this short survey and have your say.

The survey is open until 11.59pm on Sunday December 10 2023 in order to hear from as many people as possible.

Click here to take part
https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90633344/Precept2024-25