Police and Crime Commissioner Funding Request

 

Merseyside's Police Commissioner is asking local people if they would be willing to pay a little extra to help protect police officer numbers and recruit new armed officers after the government sidestepped its responsibility to invest in the police service.

After seven years of austerity, the Government announced in December that the police would, once again, receive no more new money from the Home Office to tackle crime in Merseyside.

Since 2010, Merseyside Police has had to make cuts of £103m, with an estimated £18m still to make by 2021/22.

Commissioner, Jane Kennedy said: "The sad truth is that this government has once again left police forces around the country facing a funding black hole. They have washed their hands of their responsibility and instead are shifting the burden of paying for the police on to the shoulders of local council taxpayers.

This is a step which I am reluctant to take, however, if I don't raise the policing element of local council tax then Merseyside Police will be penalised and our communities adversely affected."

If the Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, does not win the support of local people, Merseyside Police will be left facing a further shortfall of more than £3.17m - the equivalent of 64 police officer posts.

The Commissioner is now holding a region-wide consultation asking people if they would be willing to contribute the extra funding expected by central government to make up for the shortfall and help her to limit the impact of the ongoing cuts.

The increase equates to approximately 15p a week or £8 a year for a Band A household.

People are invited to have their say through a short online survey at www.merseysidepcc.info by Sunday 4th February.

The Commissioner will also be holding a series of road shows throughout Merseyside to ask people for their views.

St Helens: Friday 26th January 14:00 - 16:00hrs, at Asda, Kirkland Street.

See more on the PCC's website www.merseysidepcc.info