WILTSHIRE’S Police & Crime Commissioner is asking if residents are prepared to pay more for local policing.

PCC Philip Wilkinson has launched a public survey to let residents influence the policing priorities he sets.

Part of the PCC role is to set the amount of council tax which goes to policing ahead of each financial year.

In the survey residents are being asked if they would support another rise and if so how much they would be willing to pay.

Former PCC, Angus Macpherson this year raised the precept by around £1.25 per month for council band D households.

In public consultation, the OPCC said that 63 per cent of the 1,526 who responded were in favour of the rise.

The budget for the political policing role is made up of 50 per cent government funding and the remainder from council tax.

Mr Wilkinson said he had not made up his mind on a potential increase in the tax and that he wanted to ask the public earlier to better gauge opinion.

Salisbury Journal: Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip WilkinsonWiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson

“It’s important that any proposed increase to the policing precept is also guided by my new Police and Crime Plan which will be directly influenced by the priorities outlined by the public,” he added.

“This consultation is the chance for every resident to have a say in what is important to them.

“Don’t think that I don’t want to hear your views – if it matters to you, it matters to me.”

The consultation is open until November 22 and can be accessed by clicking here.

 

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