Surrey PCC warns of cuts without council tax hike

Surrey PCC Lisa Townsend wants people to get in contact with their thoughts on increasing council tax contributions

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Surrey has warned that services "the public value the most" could be cut if council tax is not increased.

Lisa Townsend said Surrey Police was one of the fastest-improving forces in England when it came to charges, prosecutions and responding to offences.

But Ms Townsend said her force still had to find a way to save roughly £18m over the next four years.

To combat the shortfall, the PCC wants to increase the amount Surrey residents pay for policing through their council tax by roughly 4.3%.

"When I set the police budget last year, I pledged that Surrey residents' council tax contributions would be focused on what policing does best - fighting crime in our local communities, getting tough on offenders and protecting people," said Ms Townsend.

"The progress we have seen over the last 12 months has been really impressive, but there is still more to do.

"We must make up a shortfall in both the pay increase for police officers and the rise in employers' National Insurance contributions."

Ms Townsend added: "The force may have no choice but to reduce some of the services which the public value the most - such as taking calls, investigating crimes and detaining suspects."

People are being asked for their thoughts on increasing their contribution. The amount each person would pay depends on their council tax band.

Those in Band A would be asked for roughly £225.04 each year, an increase of about £9.33 on last year, while those in Band H would pay an estimated £675.14, up £28.

The council tax survey will close at midnight on 2 February. Further information can be found on the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner website.

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