PCC Barry Coppinger suggests police council tax rise

Taxpayers in Cleveland will be asked to pay more towards the cost of policing under plans put forward by the area's police and crime commissioner.

Barry Coppinger is backing an increase of 1.99% in the policing element of council tax.

Under the plans, £27m of the force's £137m annual budget would be raised through council tax.

The Labour PCC's suggestion will be discussed by the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel on Tuesday.

Mr Coppinger wants to maintain a neighbourhood policing team in each of the area's four districts.

He said: "I believe that people will recognise that the proposal I have put forward is the best way of ensuring that the public continue to receive the high-quality frontline service they have a right to expect."

An increase of 2% or more would trigger a referendum which Mr Coppinger said would cost around £600,000.