CALLS are being made for a rise in council tax in a bid to boost policing across the county.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe is asking the Police and Crime Panel to support an increase in council tax to boost officer numbers by 41 and invest in infrastructure to support frontline policing.
It would double the rural crime team to 12 officers, split across the north and south of the county.
If plans are given the green light an extra 10 officers would be patrol police, 12 police and firearms positions would be created and 13 extra detectives would be employed to a specialist child abuse, trafficking and exploitation team.
Extra investment would also be pumped into a firearms licensing team at the Warwickshire Police base in Leek Wootton, along with funding improvements to the control room.
To fund the changes Mr Seccombe is calling for a 4.38 per cent increase in the police precept – the portion of council tax used to support policing in Warwickshire.
It would mean a rise of £9.99 per year for an average Band D home.
Mr Seccombe said since the start of 2019 the number of officers has risen from 800 to 1,000, but more are needed
He told the Observer: “It will give the force the resources it needs to continue putting more officers on the street while also investing in the crucial infrastructure needed to support them deliver an improved service to the public.
“My proposals for a balanced budget include measures to continue to boost the visibility of policing across the county, as well as investing in the supporting services that enable officers to be effective.
“I want to ensure Warwickshire Police continues to move forward in a positive way, making the best uses of the resources available, while also funding projects and initiatives to help make a real difference to victims of crime and deliver a safer and more secure county.
“I will also continue to ensure that there is rigorous financial control so every penny of taxpayers’ money is used to maximum benefit for the priorities that matter most to local communities.”
