The police precept will increase by 4.99%, which equates to 57 pence a month for a Band D property for residents in the North East and will help fund 60 new detectives with fighting crime, says Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuiness.
The decision was agreed at an online meeting of the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday, where members unanimously supported the increase.
It follows weeks of public consultation where Police Commissioner Kim McGuinness asked local people to share their views on a range of options for the police precept – the force’s share of local council tax bills.
The consultation asked households how much they would be prepared to pay to support the work of police in our area.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “I’ve not signed off this increase lightly. I don’t want to be in a position where I am asking people to pay more, however small, but our police have suffered years of continuous underfunding and I want to do everything I can to put things right.
“We have to have a force that is well resourced if we are to take on the criminals who are out there causing misery and suffering to others. I want our force to be able to do even more to fight crime and prevent crime – this will help cover that.
“In fact, what the extra money translates to is more officers – which is exactly what people want to see. This will include 60 new detectives supporting our neighbourhood policing and going down hard on serious organised crime. I surveyed local residents to help form my plan for the next 4 years and they were more than clear that these were top priorities.
She added: “The extra money isn’t all about the here and now either. With crime it’s crucial that we keep ahead of the game and focus on preventing it from happening in the years ahead. We have to future proof our force. This will be particularly crucial as we deal with the aftermath of the pandemic.
“This small increase will help towards keeping our region safe and there has been overwhelming support for that, so now Northumbria Police need to deliver on the people’s priorities that are set out in my Police and Crime Plan.”
