THE Hampshire Police and Crime Panel has backed proposals by the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to increase the amount residents will have to pay for policing in 2016/17.

At the panel’s latest meeting on January 22, Simon Hayes put forward an increase in the policing precept of 1.99 per cent for the coming financial year. For residents in an average Band D property, this would equate to an increase in the policing charge of their council tax of £3.13 for the year 2016-17, or 6p per week.

As a result, the police and crime commissioner’s basic council tax for the year beginning April 1, 2016, would be £160.46 per year at Band D.

Mr Hayes believes the increase is needed to protect frontline policing.

In a statement, he said: “Following the historic cuts and despite significant savings made the budget is still greatly reduced. I must ensure that the budget for policing in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight reflects what our residents expect from their constabulary.

“Feedback from members of the public across the two counties shows that the majority are in favour of a 1.99 per cent rise in the precept. We will continue to provide this essential and efficient service which has been shown as good value for money to residents.”

According to Mr Hayes, the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November and the policing minister’s funding settlement in December made it clear that the government expected police and crime commissioners to increase the precept by up to two per cent in order to maintain the protection in real terms of police spending.

The announcements from the government came after years of cuts to police budgets which have seen officer numbers reduced despite savings and efficiencies of £80m across the two counties.

The crime panel was set up in 2012 to scrutinise and support the work of the police and crime commissioner and to maintain a regular check and balance on his or her performance.

Following his presentation to the crime panel and questions from the panel and public, a vote showed majority support for the proposed 1.99 per cent increase.

Panel chairman David Stewart said: “With national austerity measures set to continue, it was essential for the panel to robustly question the police and crime commissioner and challenge his budget proposals – alongside the findings of his recent public consultation on the budget. We were satisfied that the precept level proposed was justified and, therefore, by a majority, support the planned 1.99 per cent increase to generate £2m.”

He continued: “We are facing some challenging times ahead, particularly on public safety. The agreed precept increase will not only enable the constabulary to protect 108 officer roles in the next year, but also better equip the force to tackle key issues in the future, such as cyber crime, child sexual exploitation and domestic violence, as well as continuing to deliver crucial neighbourhood policing.”