RESIDENTS have just a week left to have their say on plans to raise Hampshire’s police precept tax, in a bid to get more cash to frontline officers.

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane has said he wants to raise the monthly public contributions by the maximum £2 per house, after it was announced last week by the government that police forces would be allowed to do so.

This means locals could pay an extra £24 a year for a Band D property.

It comes after the new national budget allowance was unveiled by Nick Hurd, Minister for Policing. He announced that forces would get a slice of £970 million in extra cash next year – with £500 million of this coming from increased precept rates.

This will see the 2019/20 budget increased to £14 billion.

It is not yet known how much extra funding Hampshire Constabulary will get from the government fund.

But now, residents are being asked to have their say before the deadline on the consultation shuts on January 12.

Michael Lane said “It is more important than ever that I hear from council tax payers the level of contribution they would be willing to make through my precept survey.

“The government has given Police and Crime Commissioner’s the flexibility to increase the policing element of the council tax by up to £24 per Band D household per year. This recognises the challenges faced by today’s policing of increasing demands, greater complexity and changes in criminal activity.

“However I am conscious that it also shifts more of the burden of paying for the increasing costs of policing to the local council tax payer.”

He added: “All of the money that comes from any rise in local council tax will go to support local policing, and an increase of £24 per year would ensure there will be no reduction in policing in the Hampshire Constabulary area.

“It is well known that policing budgets are under pressure and I believe that meeting the needs of our communities requires a financial uplift to recognise both increased demand and changes in crime.

“I continue to believe that a nationally fairer funder formula is the most appropriate way for the long term future of policing funding. I know that there are pressures on government, but I will continue to fight for this.”

Mr Lane previously said that if locals support him to raise tax, the cash will be used to “ensure that locally communities will have the same level of policing support – configured by the Chief Constable and her team to meet current threats”.

He also said that the additional funding will protect recruiting and training for the workforce of the order of 200 new police officers, around 60 Police Staff Investigators, and a course for new PCSOs.

Breaking down the £970 million of national funding, £161 million will come from Government grants, with a further £150 million will be available to pay into police pension pots.

An extra £59 million will be given towards counter-terror policing and £90 million is being made available to tackle economic and cyber crime, as well as child sexual exploitation.

To take part in the survey, visit: www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/budget