Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has confirmed an additional £4.5m in West Mercia’s policing budget for 2017/18, as well as a freeze in the police’s share of council tax.
The significant new investment in local policing will ensure there is continued investment in the force, enabling greater efficiencies for the future, whilst addressing the issues that matter most to the communities and ensuring better value for public money. The investment will come from West Mercia’s healthy reserves, which currently stand at over £50m.
John Campion said: “This budget shows how I am delivering on my election promises: To make sure that policing budgets are spent as wisely and efficiently as possible, and that the money gets spent on what matters most to communities.
“This includes improving police visibility, ensuring there is better customer service and that our most vulnerable people are protected. I also promised I would reform and modernise our police force, including new fit-for-purpose technology, bringing it up to date and in-line with other forces in the UK, and giving our officers the tools they need to do their difficult jobs better.”
Tax payers will see this take effect from Thursday 6 April 2017.
In the Commissioner’s recent consultation 72% of respondents supported his budget proposals for the coming year. The plans were also supported by the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel at a meeting today (Tuesday 7 February).
Issued on: Tuesday 7 February