TAXPAYERS in north Hampshire face an increase in the bill they pay to fund the police.

The policing precept on the council tax bill for 2015-16 is set to increase by 1.99 per cent after the proposed rise was supported by the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel.

The panel was scrutinising the proposal made by Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (PCC).

The rise would see a householder in a Band D property pay £157.33 for the police part of the council tax bill from April 1 this year – up by £3.07.

The panel approved the increase by a majority after questioning Mr Hayes at a meeting on January 23.

Councillor David Stewart, chairman of the panel, said the rise was justified as Hampshire Constabulary needs to save £25million by April 2016.

He added: “The panel is confident that the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are still receiving the level of policing they deserve, and we feel strongly that any reduction in policing numbers would not have been in the interests of local communities, or the PCC’s policing priorities.”

As reported in The Gazette, an adviser recently warned that the force is “at very significant risk” because of Government budget cuts.

Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, chairman of the Force Strategic Advisory Group, appealed to Hampshire MPs to join a campaign to fight a six per cent reduction in funding for 2015-16.

Mr Hayes said 77 per cent of people who took part in a consultation supported the planned rise.

He added: “Through the precept consultation exercise, members of the public have clearly told me that they agree with my commitment to protect neighbourhood policing.

“This is only possible through retaining frontline policing, which has been put at risk due to £80m Government-imposed cuts since 2010.”