More West Yorkshire PCSOs to be recruited as council tax rise approved

More PCSOs will be recruited in West Yorkshire as a result of rise in council tax police precept

More PCSOs are to be recruited in West Yorkshire after a rise in the police element of council tax in the county was signed off on Friday.

The increased funding will also go towards hiring extra initial contact officers, who answer 999 and 101 calls, West Yorkshire Combined Authority said.

Council tax payers will see a rise of between £8.26 and £26 a year, depending on their band, to fund the recruitment.

The authority described the extra funding as "crucial".

Members of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel approved the plans on Friday, following a meeting with West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at Wakefield Town Hall.

Ms Brabin said: "West Yorkshire Police has risen well to the dual challenges of increasing costs and decreased Home Office grants, but we still need a fair and sustainable funding settlement from central government.

"My focus remains on securing stronger front-line policing services so we can achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents and businesses."

'Unanimously supported'

Councillor Eileen Taylor, chair of the Police and Crime Panel, said panel members understood "the cost of living crisis impacts us all".

She added: "We also know that keeping our neighbourhoods safe is important to our residents, and we want West Yorkshire Police to be properly resourced to continue their good work.

"Having had the opportunity today to understand and question her on her decision, we have unanimously supported the mayor's proposal for increased funding for the police, through the precept element of the council tax."

For households in council tax band A, the increase will equate to 17p a week, for band B, it will be an extra 19p a week, and for those in band C, it will be 22p more a week.

The biggest increase is for households in council tax band H, where residents will need to pay 50p extra a week.

A survey of 2,063 residents in December found that 71% said they would pay extra to help protect front-line policing across West Yorkshire.

Several focus groups and community groups were also held to gather feedback.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin thanked people in the county for "backing local investment".