PCC Katy Bourne exploring increase to police’s council tax precept for 2014/15

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne launched a two-month consultation today (Wednesday October 30) to look at raising the police precept by £4.95 for Band D properties.

According to Mrs Bourne this money could help reduce serious sexual offending, tackle child exploitation, strengthen the fight against cyber crime, and increase the visibility of frontline policing.

She said: “I have a statutory obligation to set the police budget. I fulfilled my election pledge to freeze the precept in my first year of office and, as a result, residents have paid the same amount for policing in Sussex for the last four years. “However, in order to enable investment and ensure Sussex Police is sufficiently resourced to meet future challenges, I am consulting on a 3.6 per cent increase which would add £4.95 per year per household for a Band D property.

“As a voice for local people on policing and crime it’s very important that I know if Sussex residents are willing to pay a little extra towards policing in the county.

“Therefore, I would encourage as many people as possible to spend a few minutes filling out the Public Consultation Survey.”

The commissioner is duty bound to inform the Police and Crime Panel of her considerations and the consultation with Sussex taxpayers will help inform a decision in January 2014. This decision will be reviewed by the panel.

The online survey can be accessed by clicking this link.

The consultation will close on Friday January 10.

Hard copies of the survey are available from the Office of the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner by calling 01273 481561 or emailing [email protected]